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Passed away peacefully at the Brockville General Hospital on September 17, 2021, at the age of 87 years. Beloved husband of Marjory (Anderson) Van Velze and cherished father of JoAnne McMahon (Patrick), Margaret Marshall (Scott), Nancy Jean Bougie (Raymond) and Marian Stewart (Sean). Fondly remembered by his grandchildren Jessie (Wayne Smith), Casey McMahon (Reagan Harding), Megan Marshall (Patrick Rule), John Marshall (Megan Maitland), Emily Stewart and Amy Stewart; by his great grandchildren Raelyn and Bella; by a niece Angela and nephew René.
John immigrated to Canada from Holland in 1953 with $38 dollars in his pocket. John first landed in Gander Newfoundland, and proceeded to find work in Sarnia, fixing trucks that were being used to build a highway. His journey eventually took him to Brockville, where he worked at a local Dutch store fixing appliances; it is there that he met the love of his life Marjory in 1957. She had stumbled into the store one school day afternoon and she and John connected. Through friends, he found out where she lived and rode his motorcycle to her home in New Dublin to ask her on a date. They married in 1959 and began building a beautiful life together.
John proceeded to build his own livelihood by opening a furniture and appliance repair store known as Reliable Furniture. John ran this business along with his two partners for over 30 years before retiring in 1995. Although retired, John continued repairing appliances whenever his expertise was needed.
John developed a passion for sailing and was a longtime member of the Brockville Yacht Club for over 60 years; he exemplified the « work hard, play harder » motto. In early 1960s, John built his first boat out of steel but found it to be too slow and went on to build a wooden boat from his basement in 1966/67. In typical John fashion, the wooden boat still was not fast enough and he went on to purchase his first race boat, Majona, that he enjoyed racing in Club regatta’s as well as EYC’s. John enjoyed sharing his passion for sailing with Marjory and their four daughters while they spent their summers on the St. Lawrence River. John’s passion for sailing even passed along to one of his granddaughters who carries on the sailing gene. His dedication to the Brockville Yacht Club is evident through decades of hard labour repairing docks, welding, and preparing the Club for each yachting season. He valued the camaraderie of the Club and especially looked forward to his Friday Afternoon Club with the crew. When John retired in 1995 he purchased the 2nd love of his life Majona II, this was a cruising boat that he spent his golden years leisurely sailing the waters of the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario with his friends and family. For years, he carried on a tradition of having his family onboard to sail in the BYC Thanksgiving Day race, a tradition that his children and grandchildren looked forward to each year.
While sailing was his summer passion, skiing was his sport of choice during the winter months, with fond memories of winter trips to Big Tupper, Pakenham and Calabogie. Majory recalls John teaching their daughters to ski at Browns Bay and would always be challenging them to races down the slopes.
The competitive nature but sense of adventure and humour was John. Anyone who knew John knows he was not shy to share a quick clever remark that could bring a laugh to a room. A true Dutchman that enjoyed his sweets and loved his family. John will be deeply missed by his family, friends and sailing community.
Family and friends are invited to a graveside service at Roselawn Memorial Gardens, 2451 County Road 15, Maitland on Saturday, September 25, 2021 at 1 pm followed by a gathering in the Roselawn Reception Centre.
Covid protocols will be in effect with registration of attendance required. Please RSVP below or call 613-342-2828 weekdays between 9 am – 4 pm.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Brockville and District Hospital Foundation Palliative Care or the Brockville Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program will be gratefully acknowledged.
Send condolences or share a special thought of John on the memory Wall above.
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Friday September 17th 2021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de John Van Velze Friday September 17th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville:Maitland, Province: Ontario