John Simon Theodorus Bos

John Bos passed away peacefully on November 16, 2020, aged 89 years. Lovingly remembered by his wife Afra, and by his children Maria, Michael, Paul (Tonja), Rick, and Judy (John) and by his grandchildren Justin, Nico, Ashleigh, Romi, Kirsten, Trina, Richard, Kevin, and Michelle and by his great- grandchildren Ivan, Viktor, Kyla, Lawrence, and Russell, and in the Netherlands by his brother George and sisters Wilhelmina and Roos as well as by many nephews, nieces, and friends.

John was born in Beverwijk, Netherlands and emigrated to Canada with Afra in 1956. After landing in Montreal, they travelled directly to BC and settled in the Fraser Valley. A certified carpenter, John soon found work in the building trade, and before he retired at age 64 had worked as foreman, supervisor, or project superintendent on a number of iconic projects in the Vancouver area including the Robson Square Provincial Court building, both the Asian Centre and the TRIUMF cyclotron building at UBC, Pacific Centre tower in downtown Vancouver, and the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park.

John loved Canada and took great pride in showing overseas visitors the natural wonders of this land. John was a builder, and his wife and children recall with fondness the never-ending projects and renovations that happened at home or in assistance of others who needed help. John built the first house he and Afra owned, and after 12 years there built the next house as well. By example, he instilled in all of his children a respect for self-reliance and innovation.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held with immediate family members only at St. Josephs’ Church, Langley. A celebration of John’s life will be held with a wider circle of friends and family after the pandemic.

Afterglow

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.