Peacefully, after a lengthy illness, on March 19, 2013 in his 88th year. Loving husband of Clare. Cherished father of Jamie, Lois, Winnie and Rick. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Heritage Hall at Holland Christian Home, 7900 McLaughlin Road South, Brampton. For more information and to forward tributes to the family, please visit www.andrewscommunityfuneralcentre.com
John was born July 5, 1925 in the Netherlands to Jacob and Maria. He had four siblings.
He grew up in Balkbrug, where he became a church organist at the age of twelve.
During WWII his father was a member of the Dutch underground. This led to some very tense years for the family. They sheltered two Jewish families in their home during this time.
When he was 20, he and his brother Ben volunteered for service in Indonesia with the Dutch Army, where they spent 2 ½ years. He regaled his family with many stories from this time in his life ranging from humorous to sad to very scary.
On return to Holland, he studied at the textile college in Enschede and afterwards worked in the family dry goods business with his father.
In 1951 he moved to Canada to forge his own fortune. He attended Glen Forest Church; one of the original Christian Reformed Churches in Toronto and later moved to Annette Church where he continued to play the church organ.
He met Clare in 1957. They married in 1959 and went on to have four children and seven grand-children.
He had 16 different jobs his first year in Canada, but had bigger things in mind.
His first business was a distribution business with Caldwell Meats. He then moved on to his own tool business and later to General Manager and part owner of Rambler Trailers in Burlington. His next venture was Sales Manager at Pollard Windows. He rounded out his career as owner of Tim Horton’s at Sherway Gardens in Toronto.
He and Clare enjoyed 20 years of healthy retirement during which time they had a home in Florida and travelled around Canada and Europe.
Over the last seven years his health deteriorated. The family would like to thank everyone who supported and cared for him during this time.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to The Light House or a pet rescue organization of your choice.
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