27 May 1941 – 22 January 2019
Rene peacefully passed away in the presence of his sister Ilse and brother-in-law, Rudy, at Laurel Place hospice. Predeceased by his parents, Victorine and Ferdinand Cohen, and sister Irene, Rene will be missed by siblings Ilse (Ruud), Monique, and Ferry of the Netherlands, brother-in-law Peter Gout (Ursula), nieces Denise, Michèle, nephews Marc, Jeroen, Lars, long-time friend Jos (Elly) and the Mahler, Lapre and Beemer families and other friends of the Dutch-Indonesian community.
Rene was born in Salatiga in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia). In 1966 he immigrated from the Netherlands to Greater Vancouver where he primarily worked in the heating business. A quiet and gentle man, Rene was an avid hiker who loved to climb the Stawamus Chief and mountains of the North Cascades. He was fond of animals, in particular birds, including his pet cockatiel Pipo. His family will treasure memories of many eventful summer vacations with him and happy visits to Steveston and the Reifel Bird Sanctuary. Rene, we will miss you so much!
Special thanks to the Laurel Place hospice staff for their compassionate care.
