Obituary
John passed away peacefully at the Rockeyview Hospital surrounded by his greatest love, his family. He left this world after a long but courageous journey with prostate cancer.
John is survived by his wife Anne (nee Beaumont); his son Peter; his daughter Amy Webster (Robbie); and his grandchildren, Jack, Willem and Anneke. John loved his grandchildren with all his heart, and they were his greatest source of joy and pride. His grandchildren taught John the true meaning of love and through them, his legacy will live on. He is also survived by his sisters, Cathy (Leo), Ria (Andy) and Lia; as well as several nieces and nephews across the country. John was predeceased by his parents, Anneke and Peter Bertens; his brother Martin Bertens; and his sister Gerardina Van Aert.
John was born in the small town of Udenhout, Netherlands on December 1, 1939. He immigrated with his family to Canada in 1960 at the age of 21. After a chance opportunity and a lot of hard work and determination, John graduated from the University of Manitoba earning his Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Mechanical) in 1966. John’s Engineering degree allowed him to travel the world and worked in places as far as Cameroon, Indonesia and Europe. When John was working in Montreal in 1968, he met his other great love – his wife Anne. John and Anne shared 45 years together where they enjoyed cottage life, travel, family and adventure. John was a kind and loving man. He always thought of others first and had the most generous, compassionate heart. John also had an amazing entrepreneurial spirit and great western pride for his hometown of Calgary. He loved hosting his annual Stampede Breakfast at the cottage in Ontario – he always loved a good party.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church (5340 4 Street SW) on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 4:00pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 11:00am. Reception to follow St. Anthony’s Vatican II Hall. John was a supporter of The Mustard Seed. We ask in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to this amazing organization that John loved so much (www.theseed.ca/donate/).
The family would like to thank Dr. D Heng and all the nurses at the Tom Baker Cancer Center for taking extraordinary care of John over the past 12 years. We would also like to mention a special shout out to the staff in unit 74 at the Rockyview for their compassion and care.
To send flowers to John’s family, please visit our floral section.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Bertens December 1 1939 November 26 2019 (age 79)..
Décès pour la Ville: Calgary, Province: Alberta