Bert van Leeuwen
1922-2018
Born in Haarlem on December 2, 1922,
after a full and well lived 95 years, Bert van
Leeuwen passed away at home on Friday, April 27,
2018.
He is survived by his wife of almost 63
years, Bep; his six children, Paul (Kerri Weller), Bob (Carm), Ingrid
(John), Tom (Sue), Sabina (John) and Tanya; his siblings Ellie (Sr.
Leonarda), Ton and Annie, all in Holland; and his grandchildren
Bryana, Trevor, Michelle, Matthew, Christina, Nicholas, Margaret,
Jocelyn, Dexter, Sarah, and Christie; and great grandchild
Patricia. He was predeceased by his parents, Hubert and Anna
and siblings Theo and Ria.
Artist, engineer, dancer, spouse and
father; he enjoyed these many things throughout his
life.
In the early years building model
airplanes and flying them in competitions in Holland, where he met
Bep.
After surviving forced labour in Germany
during World War II, he started his studies at Philips.
When his girlfriend’s family immigrated
to Canada in 1952, he followed a year later to a job at Enamel and
Heating where he worked for many years. They married in May
of 1955.
In 1974 he ventured out to start Bert
van Leeuwen Industrial Design Ltd., where he continued his engineering
work until only a few months ago. Proudly informing all that
he was the oldest working professional engineer in the
province.
As one of their many adventures, in the
Centennial year 1967, Bert and Bep went on the Square dance Centennial
train, where they and many others traveled across Canada and performed
Square dances at stops along the way. Their love of dancing
lead to the family to attending Nova Scotia Dance Camp annually for
around twenty five years.
In Amherst you can view two of the most
recent large projects that Bert’s Engineering was key, the Bridge
Workshop and the Holy Family church buildings. He was happy
to leave his mark in the town he called home for more than 60
years.
Bert also loved painting, in watercolour
especially. In his early days in the Amherst he would paint
out ‘in the field’ with Alfred Whitehead and Fred Nicholas.
He was a member of the local artist guild and enjoyed participating in
their annual shows.
The van Leeuwen’s would like to thank
all the people who assisted Dad over the passed few years in any way
so that he could get the medical care he needed. There are
many. We would like to especially thank Helen and Nel for
watching over and supporting both Bert and Bep, especially in these
last few months.
Arrangements have been entrusted to
Furlong~Jones Funeral Home, 70 Church
St., Amherst, NS (902-667-8777) where visiting hours will take place
on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, from 2 to 4 and 6-8 pm, with Parish Prayers
at 7 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated from Holy Family
Parish Church, Amherst, Father Craig Christenson officiating on
Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 11 am. Burial will take place from
St. Charles – Nativity Cemetery at a later date.
Those wishing to make a donation in
Bert’s name may do so to the charity of the donor’s
choice.
Sharing of memories and condolences may
be sent to the family by visiting Bert’s online memorial at
www.furlongjones.ca or through the Furlong~Jones Funeral Home Facebook
Page.
Click here to View Condolences
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Bert van Leeuwen 19222018.source
Décès pour la Ville: Amherst, Province: Nova Scotia