Parcourez la nécrologie de Wilhelmus J Willie Westenenk 1928 2024 résidant dans la province Nova Scotia pour le détail des funérailles
Westenenk, Willie, age 95 of Antigonish NS
passed peacefully on April 28, 2024.
Think of Willie when you see spring tulips bloom, a
perfectly manicured summer lawn, colourful fall leaves, or a happy
winter snowblower. These were some of Willie’s greatest
pleasures in his long and happy life.
Born in Raalte, Holland, Willie was the youngest child
of Gerardus and Willemina (Reimert) Westenenk. He served the Dutch
Army in peacekeeping after WW2, stationed in Indonesia and New Guinea.
This was a memorable time for Willie, giving him a broader view of the
world.
When Willie’s time in the army ended, he was
offered a job as gardener and groundskeeper at St. F. X University, in
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, close to where his brother John and
Wilhelmina had already settled. With this, he immigrated to Canada and
joined his brother’s family in Lower South River. In 1959,
he married Lillian MacLeod. He enjoyed a 40 year career at St.FX. The
variety of beautiful shade trees enjoyed at the campus today, is in no
small part, due to Willie’s
efforts.
Upon retiring, Willie spent his leisure time walking
for pleasure and helping others. He could fix anything, and for a
time, he was the go-to man on Church St. Extension because
‘Where there was a Willie, there was a Way.’ He
was an active and valued member of St. Ninian’s Cathedral.
Whether serving his church, selling tickets for his favourite
organizations, planting flowers, or growing vegetables for the food
bank, he did it all with a smile because he knew it made a difference
for the people in his world. His smile (at times mischievous) was
always ready as he walked his favourite routes to check in with his
favourite people in and around town. He was particularly fond of the
special friendships he lovingly tended.
Willie (with an ‘ie’) was much
loved by his large family, his neighbours and many, many friends
around the world. No one called him Dad, but Willie treasured his many
nieces and nephews as if they were his own children, keeping in close
touch with them. Known to Lillian’s family as uncle Willie
and oom Wim to Westenenks, he was always a big part of our lives. Our
one-of-a-kind uncle will be greatly missed. We like to think that
Willie is now one with his parents, his siblings, his wife and other
family members and dear friends who have gone before
him.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the
Victorian Order of Nurses, Dr. Rice and her team, and the palliative
care nursing staff at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, who
defined nursing with their tender loving care of our much loved
uncle.
Visitation & funeral arrangements will be
determined soon. Interment will be in St. Ninian’s
Columbarium South 9.
Family flowers only please. Donations may be made to
the Antigonish Food Bank.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of CL
Curry Funeral Home, Antigonish. Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.
«Old gardeners
never die, they just weeeeed
away.»
1928 2024
Décès pour la Ville Antigonish, Province Nova Scotia
avis deces Wilhelmus J Willie Westenenk 1928 2024
nécrologie Wilhelmus J Willie Westenenk 1928 2024
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