Gerrit Gerritsen

GERRITSEN – Gerrit passed away peacefully on September 9, 2016 at the age of 91. Born in Ede, Holland, Gerrit enjoyed a childhood filled with heather fields, woods and meadows that instilled in him a lifelong appreciation and fascination with the wonders of nature. He remained an avid bird watcher throughout his life. The atrocities of World War II and the fact that Canadians liberated his hometown in 1945, inspired him to join the 101 Flight RAF/RCAF Field Security as an interpreter. Gerrit loved languages and was a stickler for grammar; he spoke and read English, Dutch, German and French fluently. He immigrated to Canada in 1953 where he was joined by his fiancée, Elly, and they were married in Montreal, Québec. In his early career, Gerrit worked for C.I.L, General Motors and the International Paper Company in various roles that took him to Ottawa and Toronto, Ontario and then on to Vancouver B.C., where in 1970 he joined Canadian Forest Products Limited. After 3 years in the Montreal, Québec office, he was asked to open what was to become Canfor Corporation’s European headquarters. He chose Brussels, Belgium, the seat of the European Common Market and the family moved there for what turned out to be a 17 year assignment until his retirement to Victoria, B.C. in 1990. Gerrit was an avid reader, life-long learner and an early adopter of technology. Education was of paramount importance. Gerrit felt sustained by the love and support of his family. Gerrit was predeceased in October 2009 by his loving wife of 56 years, Elber W. (Elly) Gerritsen. He is survived by his sister Johanna P. (Hannes) Gerritsen of Eibergen, The Netherlands, his children Lynda (Ken), Eric (Deira), Sue-Ellen (François), and his grandchildren Melissa, Spencer, Gerrit, Elberlyn, Calan and Drake. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to Carlton House and to Trillium at Douglas Care Community for their loving care and support. There will be no formal service, but those who have known Gerrit are kindly invited to come and greet the family, share stories and some light refreshments at First Memorial, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria B.C. at 2pm on Saturday, October 8, 2016. Flowers and donations gratefully declined.