In the
presence of loving family, Anthony John « Tony » Corsten died
peacefully at his Antigonish home on December 13,
2022.
Tony was born
in Mariahout, Noord Brabant, The Netherlands in 1940. His
family immigrated to Canada in 1951, first to Ontario, then to
Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. Eventually settling in
Harbour Centre, Tony and his brother John developed one of the largest
dairy farms in the province, as well as related businesses in farm
equipment sales and timber harvesting.
Tony was a
hardworking, loyal, generous man and the first to lend a hand to
anyone in need. He possessed a quiet, unassuming nature
which belied his extensive expertise as a leader in the Antigonish
community supporting his industry throughout his life. A
successful businessman, dairy farmer, and a firm believer in
cooperatives and sharing expertise, Tony volunteered both time and
knowledge. He was on the Foundation Board for the RK
MacDonald Nursing home. He was a founding leader of the Antigonish
Farm and Garden Community Investment Fund for the local Co-operative
Feed Store. He was president of the Cape John Community
pasture. He served in various positions on the Boards for Eastern
Dairy Foods and Scotsburn Cooperative
Dairy.
Tony
accomplished much in his life, and enjoyed time with his family, his
friends, and neighbours. He was proud of his family’s
success in his adopted country of Canada, but he also kept in close
touch with his family in Holland, travelled there frequently and
welcomed them to Canada on many occasions. While he very much wanted
to remain with us, Tony leaves a legacy of a family who loved him
immensely; the entire Rovers-Corsten family will feel his absence and
are missing him.
Tony was
dearly loved by his wife and best friend, Joan (Rovers), who shared 56
wonderful years of married life with him. There are many
memories of shared family joys, travel. and of friends far and
near. He is greatly missed by his three children and their
spouses: Martin & Karen Corsten, Gerard Corsten & Erin
Gorman Corsten of Halifax, and Ria Corsten & Tim
Healey of St John’s, NL. He was a much-loved Opa
to his grandchildren Annecy, Claire, John, Annika, Xenia, and Julia.
Opa was a major presence throughout their lives and taught
through personal example that each day was an opportunity to enrich a
life other than your own. Tony will be lovingly remembered
by his brother John (Frances) Corsten, sisters Ann Young (Bill
MacDonald), Antonia (Keith) Cracknell, brother-in-law Robin Crawford
and all his nephews, nieces, and cousins. He was predeceased by his
father John Corsten, his mother Gerarda (Oppers) Corsten, sister Jean
Crawford, and nephew William Corsten.
Visitation
will be from 2-4 and 7-9 pm on Thursday December 15, 2022 at CL Curry
Funeral, 135 College Street, Home, in Antigonish. The
funeral mass will be held at St. Ninians’s Cathedral Friday,
December 16, 2022 at 11:00 am. Burial at a later
date.
The family
would like to extend their gratitude to his care team, specifically
Drs. Rice, Chiasson, Johnson, and Rayson, the Radiation Oncology team,
the VON, and caregivers notably Julie, Becky and
Pierrette. Donations in recognition of Tony may be
made to St Martha’s Regional Hospital Auxiliary, 25 Bay
Street, Antigonish, NS B2G 2G4, Antigonish Palliative Care
Society, P.O. Box 996, Antigonish, NS B2G 2S3 or to a charity of your
choice. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
1940 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Anthony John Tony Corsten 1940 2022 et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville: Antigonish, Province: Nova Scotia