In Memoriam

In_memoriam

 

conradWILLEMSE, CONRAD May 17, 1947 – March 22, 2023
It is with great sadness that his family announce that Conrad gently passed at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto, leaving us for a higher place and his next great adventure, where he will be free from recent health struggles. Conrad will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife, Diane (nee Penney); daughters, Andrea (Andrew) and Merrilees (Kevin); sister, Nancy (Terry); brother, Theo (Patricia); grandchildren, Amelia, Olivia, Angus and Leida; and his many nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was predeceased by his sister, Marian Moran (nee Willemse). He was a great friend to many who were so important to him, some of whom were like family. Those who knew Conrad have cherished his presence in their lives. He enthusiastically lived a full life and his joy was infectious as he embraced many adventures, and spent meaningful time with his family and friends. He had his share of life challenges, growing into a spiritual man who tried to live his life through love and compassion and a connection with God. This included completing a Masters in Theology later in life and volunteer service in the jails, at church, and on numerous Boards. Equally impressive was his love of serving his clients through the practice of law, specializing in helping business entrepreneurs. Conrad’s legacy of great debates and discussions, his passion for music and art and his boisterous laugh will be lovingly remembered. He loved singing in the Mendelssohn Choir for over 40 years. As a runner, squash player, cyclist and lover of the outdoors, Conrad also energetically embraced physical activity. This included his love of biking everywhere – a reflection of his Dutch upbringing. There was never a dull moment with Conrad. He was one-of-a-kind. Our many loving and funny memories will forever keep him close to our hearts.
The family will receive friends at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Davisville) from 1:00 – 3:00 and 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30th.
A funeral service will be held for Conrad at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 2982 Yonge Street, on Friday, March 31st at 11:00 a.m.
There will be a celebration of life hosted by the family following the burial from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Details to be provided separately.
Donations can be made to the Henri Nouwen Society or Charity of Your Choice, in memory of Conrad.
Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.

Published by Toronto Star on Mar. 28, 2023.

FUNERAL HOME

Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited

1403 Bayview Avenue

Toronto, ON

Phone: 416 487 4523

 

Dear NLC Friends,

It is with great sadness, we announce the passing away of our friend Riet van Duyn. Wim and Riet were long time members of the Netherlands Luncheon in Toronto. Riet’s smile always lit up the room. Riet was always willing to lend the helping hand.

Our sincere condolences to her family and friends.

OBITUARY

RietvanDuyn

 

Maria Mathilda van Duyn

MAY 18, 1931 – FEBRUARY 9, 2022

Passed away peacefully in Hospice Georgian Triangle on Wednesday February 9, 2022, at the age of 90.

Predeceased by her beloved husband Wim. She is survived by her sons Norm and his wife Nancy and by Keith and his partner Diana. Cherished Oma to Philip, Nikole, Lukas, Jason (Jade), Justin (Christine), Nixon, Weston, Layne, Oaklin and Laken. Dear sister to Peter (Marjan) and predeceased by her brother Cass (survived by Maude). She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Over 20 years Riet was very generous and active with her time at Holland Christian Homes. Since there arrival to Canada 1955 with Wim they have been very active in the Dutch community. Wim and Riet were long time members of the Netherlands Luncheon in Toronto. Riet’s smile always lit up the room.

A special thank you to Jane, Jean and friends, also Pastor Hank and staff at Holland Christian Homes for providing Riet (Maria) with the comfort of home in the Holland Christian Home community.

Click on this link to visit the Obituary Page, and please leave your Memories or comments about your relationship with Riet.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/es-es/obituaries/brampton-on/maria-van-duyn-10582134

NetherlandsFolkloregoroup

The Dutch Community in Ontario has lost an important leader of the community.

Riet van Duyn was a very important part of the Dutch community in Ontario. I have known Riet for over 50 years. Riet and her husband were a vital member of the Dutch community. She and her husband were good long-time friends with my mother, Aleida Limbertie. She performed, volunteered, and helped organize at many Dutch events and festivals. A proud member of the Netherlands Folklore Group since the 1960’s as she has participated of many Dutch community activities. Some of the highlights include: performing with the Netherlands Folklore Group at Expo 67 in Montreal or volunteering with the Amsterdam Pavilion at Toronto International Caravan  and  as always, her husband Wim was not far from the many Dutch activities taking pictures. She was as passionate as my mother, Aleida Limbertie with promoting Dutch culture in Ontario. In later years she helped preserved the Netherlands Folklore Group costume collection and Folklore Doll collection that is now archived and housed at the Holland Christian homes in Brampton. Riet was very passionate about her Dutch heritage, helping promote it over the last 60 years. The Dutch Community in Ontario has lost an important leader of the community.

We will miss you Riet!

Wendy Limbertie


fritzimageDear NLC Friends,

It is with a heavy heart I give you the sad news that “onze” our Frits, has passed away, peacefully on September 12, 2021.
Our condolences to the Begemann Family.

OBITUARY

Begemann, Frits Albert

It is with profound sadness that the family announces the passing of Frits Begemann on Sunday, September 12, 2021 in Waterloo, Ontario at the age of 93. Beloved husband of Wilhelmina Begemann (1930-2018) for 60 years. Loving father of Karen Begemann (Graeme) and Chris Begemann (Elly). Cherished “Opa” of Eric, Lindsay and Christopher. Dear uncle of Judith Andreassen and Stephan Orzechowski. Lifelong friend of Ann and Rimmer Tjalsma (since high school). Predeceased by his siblings Harro (Ineke) and Marga (Wim).

Frits was very sociable and had a gift for making lasting friendships. He loved people, sharing stories and enjoying a good laugh. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, always keenly interested and supportive of individual dreams and pursuits. Family camping trips were a highlight of every summer vacation, travelling across Canada and the USA. After the children were grown; Wilhelmina and Frits travelled in their motorhome with their two beloved wheaten terriers taking time to enjoy the scenery through photography and water colour painting. Both were also passionate about music and theatre, and took in classical concerts, music festivals and plays on their travels.

Frits immigrated to Canada in 1952. He devoted over 65 years to serving the Dutch Community in Ontario principally as Executive Director of the Netherlands Luncheon Club (NLC). The NLC was started in 1954 as a social club and more importantly as a networking group to provide much needed business contacts to the Dutch Community and as a catalyst for promoting Dutch Canadian relations. He was considered the backbone of the club, coordinating well over 300 events. His contributions were officially recognized by the Dutch Government in 2014 where he was awarded the ‘Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau’ (Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau), similar to the Order of Canada. He will be sorely missed.

He was also one of twenty founding members of the DUCA Credit Union in 1954 which made it possible for new immigrants to secure loans.

With his wife, Wilhelmina, he assembled a unique collection of Inuit art for over 50 years in which key works of art have been exhibited publicly over the years. He contributed to the appreciation of Inuit Art in Canada in countless other ways.

He will be remembered for his generous heart, positive outlook on life, and a drive to make any community he touched a better place to live for all.

A heartfelt thank you to all the staff and residents at Clair Hills Retirement Community for the fellowship, compassionate care and kindness shown to Frits.

Private cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held in spring of 2022. Arrangements are entrusted to the Henry Walser Funeral Home, 507 Frederick Street, Kitchener, 519-749-8467.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario would be appreciated by the family.
Visit www.henrywalser.com for Frits’ memorial and to post comments and condolences.


 

Screen Shot 2019-09-12 at 1.33.37 PMIt is with deep sadness that the de Boer family announces the passing of our Husband, Brother, Father and Grandfather, Jake de Boer (July 12, 1934 – September 9, 2019).

He died peacefully in Holland Christian Homes, Brampton on the morning of September 9, 2019.

A Celebration of Life honouring the memory of Jake de Boer will take place on Sunday, September 15 at 2:00 p.m.

Please join us in remembering Jake at Heritage Hall, Holland Christian Homes (entrance beside the Duca), 7900 McLaughlin Road, Brampton.

A reception will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Horizon Hall at Holland Christian Homes, located between King Tower and Peace Tower.

Extra parking is available at Crosspoint Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that a donation be made in Jake’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada  www.heartandstroke.ca


 

It is with great sadness that we have learned that John Tyl (92)  has passed away peacefully on April 22, 2019 at North York General Hospital.

The  Celebration Of His Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2019 at R. S. Kane Funeral  Home., 6150 Yonge Street ,North York

1pm Visitation – 2pm Service

1521532

 


The family of our long time NLC member Pieter Koonings, asked us to pass this message along to you. Our thoughts are with Ine and their family.

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father Pieter Johannes Koonings on January 12, 2019 at age 92.  He was the beloved husband of Ine Koonings for 68 years.  He is survived by his wife, his loving children and their spouses,  Paul and Melissa. Karin and Brendan, Egon and Belinda, and Thomas and Suzanne.  Pieter was also adoring Opa to Jonnathan, Jennifer, Nikita and her husband Michael, Tamika and Jason, Evie, Vaughan, Hudson and Mallory.  Pieter was born in Surabaya on the island of Java in 1926 and grew up on his father’s sugar plantation before sent for schooling in Haarlem and Hoorn, Holland.  He excelled at math and was a tremendous athlete who played water polo at the national level and practiced boxing.   His studies were interrupted because of the German occupation and Pieter was forced underground, becoming an active member of the Dutch resistance.  After the war, Pieter met his future bride in 1946 in Deventer where he attended the Agricultural College.  They were married in Java in 1950 once Pieter had completed his military service in the Dutch Army as an officer of the Public Relations and Intelligence Service.  The couple lived in Indonesia for a number of years before returning to Holland and eventually immigrating to Canada in 1955. Pieter and Ine founded two successful businesses, most notably Contempo Colour Labs, one of Toronto’s premiere photo finishing laboratories.  They worked side-by-side for decades until their retirement in 1981, when they devoted their life to exploring the world, spending time with family and visiting friends. Most recently Pieter celebrated his 90th birthday in Indonesia with his family. Pieter had a courageous spirit and love of life that fueled his passions and journey through life.  He embraced his latest pastime, cooking, at the young age of 80. To the end, he was the ever curious, compassionate and generous soul that touched many hearts.

PIETER JOHANNES KOONINGS

Obituary
Be the first to share your memories or express your condolences in the Guest Book for PIETER JOHANNES KOONINGS.

KOONINGS, PIETER JOHANNES It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our father Pieter Johannes Koonings on January 12, 2019, at age 92. He was the beloved husband of Ine Koonings for 68 years. He is survived by his wife, his loving children and their spouses, Paul and Melissa, Karin and Brendan, Egon and Belinda and Thomas and Suzanne. Pieter was also adoring Opa to Jonnathan, Jennifer, Nikita and Michael, Tamika and Jason, Evie, Vaughan, Hudson and Mallory. Pieter had a courageous spirit and love of life that fueled his passions and journey through life. To the end, he was the ever curious, compassionate and generous soul that touched many hearts. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Michael’s Hospital in memory of Pieter Koonings.

Published in the Toronto Star on Jan. 26, 2019

Details about a Celebration of Pieter’s Life to follow in due time.

In Memory of Jakob (Jake) Mol 1935 – 2018
Screen Shot 2018-12-08 at 2.57.36 PM

Obituary of Jakob (Jake) Mol

Peacefully passed away, surrounded by his family on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at 83 years of age. In Jake’s words,

“Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a preserved body, but rather to skid out, having had love and joy with a partner, family, friends, and associates; experiencing good and bad, learning, loving, painting, discovering, detecting, travelling, enjoying scenery, harvesting, fishing, until physically worn out, while remembering the good life, and wishing those left behind the best that future will allow them.

I have had an interesting life, wearing several hats, and have nothing to be sad about, except leaving some of you behind. I started as a young Canadian immigrant at age 17. Creative in art at a young age. Studied art whenever and wherever possible. Supervised an optical production section at age 19. Joined the RCMP at age 22. Married and had two daughters. I joined the Toronto Police Service and worked hard and ethically at law enforcement for 34 years. Enjoyed a great career in Fine Art, painting, teaching and judging, travelling and painting around the world with my wife, artist Pauline Holancin, love of my life.

During the last 45 years I have been painting pure watercolours transparently. I attempted to improve the presentation of watercolours by providing permanent protection without the use of annoying reflective glass or other materials. I believe I succeeded in this effort.

So long to my brother John (Maureen) Mol, my sister Nancy (late Peter) Cahaisand sister-in-law Anna (late Martin) Mol. We have seven beautiful daughters: Margaret (Jan), Adelaide (Peter), Joanne (Ken), Jackie (David), Cyndie (Michael), Michele, and Jane (Erich). We also have sixteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren whom we love. I wish all of them the best in experiencing life to the fullest. Thanks to the RCMP and Toronto Police Vets, friends in the art world, galleries, art schools, CSPWC, TWS, ECOAA, COAA, AWS, Vodka Painters of Canada, all members past and present of the Loforna Rod and Gun Club, staff and volunteers of Southlake Regional Health Care Centre, doctors: Dr. I Soutter, Dr. C. Cho, Dr. S.N. Kassam, Dr. H. Yuen, Dr. A. Gabor and others that cared for me at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre. Thank you all! I hope those who I have known will take part and enjoy the celebration of my life to be held at Madsen’s Greenhouse Banquet, 160 Bayview Parkway, Newmarket on Sunday, January 6, 2019 from 2-5 p.m.”

In Jake’s memory, donations may be made to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake Regional Health Centre, Newmarket.

More Information about the Service


1085e2945438b7e61e581bdd3cc81bc0Wilhelmina Hermina Begemann

July 12, 1930 – December 07, 2018

Obituary for Wilhelmina Hermina Begemann

Begemann, Wilhelmina “Miens” (nee Bartelink):

BEGEMANN, WILHELMINA “MIENS” (nee BARTELINK) It is with profound sadness the family announces the passing of Wilhelmina Begemann on Friday, December 7, 2018 at Pinehaven Nursing Home, Waterloo, at the age of 88. Beloved wife of Frits Begemann for 60 unforgettable years. Loving mother of Karen Begemann (Graeme Coleman) and Chris (Elly) Begemann. Cherished “Omi” of Eric, Lindsay and Christopher. Survived by her sister Jans (John “Kas”) Kassenaar. Dear aunt of Judith Andreassen and Stephan Orzechowski. Predeceased by her siblings Henk, Dirk and Aletta. Miens was deeply loving and had a great sense of humour. She enjoyed music, nature and camping trips with her family and beloved dogs. She was an incredibly talented watercolour painter and was an award winning member of the Purple Studio Painters of Mississauga. Miens was a well-loved teacher for almost 40 years and an active member of the Retired Women Teachers Federation of Ontario. She will be remembered for her generous heart, wit and intelligence and her devotion to her husband, children and family. A heartfelt thank you to all the staff at Pinehaven Nursing Home for the compassionate care and kindness shown to Wilhelmina. Private cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held in Mississauga in the new year. Arrangements and details will be available at the Henry Walser Funeral Home web site or by contacting them at 519-749-8467. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer Society Waterloo Wellington would be appreciated by the family. Visit www.henrywalser.com for Miens’ memorial.

The Celebration of Wilhelmina’s Life will take place on Saturday March 2, 2019 at The Unitarian Congregation,  84 South Service Road, Port Credit, time to be advised in due time.

To send flowers to the family of Wilhelmina Hermina Begemann, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.


 

In memory of

Tim Jan Hogenbirk

August 2, 1948 –  May 14, 2018

It is with profound sadness that the Hogenbirk family wishes to inform you of the unexpected passing of our beloved Tim on May 14, 2018. At the age of 69, he left us far too soon. He was a loving husband, partner and best friend to Eveline (Groothoff) and wonderful father to Annelieke, Nienke and her husband Brent. He adored his granddaughters Sarah and Emma and was the best Opa to them in every way.In 1982, Tim and his young family immigrated from The Netherlands to Canada. He remained very involved in the Dutch Canadian community and he leaves behind many friends from the Netherlands Luncheon Club, and the Brampton Rotary Club. He will be sadly missed by his cousins, nieces, brother-in-law and sister-in-law who reside in The Netherlands. Tim loved travelling and exploring the world with his wife of 47 years, tending to his garden, and spending time with his family. There were many plans for further travels because after each trip, he was ready to leave again. Tim was kind and generous with his time and he was always willing to lend a hand when needed. He was a life-long blood donor and since this cause was dear to his heart, please consider a donation to Canadian Blood Services in lieu of flowers.

https://mountpleasantgroup.permavita.com/site/TimJanHogenbirk.html

4655399DACEC4152B6666AC85CD4B330HENDRIKS, Benedictus ‘Ben’ Hendriks Obituary

 

HENDRIKS, Benedictus ‘Ben’ – (President of The Dutch Marines) – Passed away peacefully with his family present, on May 1, 2018 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in his 90th year.

Ben, beloved husband of Pauline. Loved father of John and his wife Grace, Rob and his wife Leslie and Bart and his wife Lynda.

Loved Opa of Kiah, Carlos, Benjamin, Troy, Sydney and Alyssa. Dear brother of Peter, Anna, and the late Dick and Corrie.

Visitation at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville from 2-4 and 7-9 pm Monday, May 7th.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Dominic Catholic Church, 2415 Rebecca Street, Oakville on Tuesday May 8th at 11am followed by cremation.

Special thanks to the Emergency and ICU at OTMH for all their care.

Henk Hoogstraten
Marten Mol
Ada Wynston