Gerrit Johan Rozenboom

''CARPE DIEM'' was Gerrit's motto to live by and he did just that in his 92 1/2 years. His zest for life, learning, inquisitiveness, and love for his family are qualities he has imparted to the younger generations of our family.

Gerrit lived, with his family, through WWII as a young child and teenager. He attended Agricultural College in Andelst, graduating at the age of 21 years. Gerrit emigrated to Canada in 1953, arriving in Montreal and then on to Saskatchewan where he worked at the University of Saskatchewan. His degree from the Netherlands was not recognized so in 1955, he boarded the train and headed West through the Rockies, eventually ending up in Ocean Falls, B.C working for the Hudson's Bay Company. He met and married Doris, a travelling nurse from England, started a family and changed his vocation, working in Crown Zellerbach Pulp Mill, becoming a pipefitter. Moves for work and other opportunities took the family of five to Coastal B.C, the Cariboo, and finally Vancouver Island where Gerrit worked in Gold River, Lake Cowichan and, Crofton Pulp and Paper (BCFP).

Gerrit and Marjorie married in 1984 and moved to Nanaimo when Gerrit retired in 1993 and, later to Victoria. They continued to enjoy life together, especially gardening, concerts in the park, and the 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren they share.

Gerrit is predeceased by his first wife Doris in 1982 and his youngest son, Dirk in 2008, as well as his two sisters, Maria Berendsen-Rozenboom and Gerda Jannie A. Rozenboom and his parents, Maas and Adriana.

He is survived by his second wife, Marjorie; son, Jeremy and daughter, Gerda from first marriage; two step-sons, Stuart (Darlene) Morgan and Brian Morgan; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Gerrit's family would like to thank the staff on 7BS at VGH. Thanks also to Claire, Caitlin and Rolf, Pacific Coast Health Services, and the Hospital-at-Home Programme at VGH. Through your care and assistance, Gerrit was able to stay in his own home until just before his passing. Gerrit spoke highly of many of you and we, his family, witnessed your professionalism and compassion.

In lieu of flowers please donate to a BCSPCA near you, or the Victoria Cancer Center.

No Service by Request.