Obituary
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“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” ~ eden ahbez
John VanRooy, (born Johannes Hendrikus Vanrooij) died peacefully of natural causes on Dec 7, 2018, attended by his wife, daughter, and the caring staff and friends at Mountain Lake Seniors Community in Nelson, BC. He lived a good long life of 96 years.
John was born to Wilhemina (Schoenmakers) and Willem Vanrooij on April 2, 1922 in the small town of Oerle, North Brabant, Netherlands. He married Ann Theresa Wolters in 1948 while studying engineering and working at Phillips in Eindhoven.
John and Ann had two sons while in Holland, William (Bill) VanRooy of Ohswehken, Ontario (1949) and Joseph (Joe) VanRooy of Balfour, BC, (1951)
Enchanted by a poster of Niagara Falls, John vowed to see that site someday, and in 1953, stepped off “De Waterman” in Halifax Harbour with his wife and boys, and rode the train to Toronto where they settled in to a whole new life. Their daughter Susan, now of Johnsons Landing, BC, was born 4 years later.
John worked as a Manufacturing Engineer, Tool and Die maker and Draftsman around Lake Ontario, on both sides of the border. Upon retirement he and Ann migrated to Florida every winter for 30 years, even after moving to Kimberly, BC, and later to Balfour.
John is fondly remembered by his many friends as a great joke teller, a good dancer, an avid walker (with his converted walking sticks), a lover of nature, always witty, optimistic, and able to turn every occasion into a party with his accordion and piano playing. One of his favorite songs was “Nature Boy” made famous by Nat King Cole.
He is heartbreakingly missed by his wife of 70 years, Ann VanRooy (now residing in Nelson, BC). He loved and enjoyed his 3 children, 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, numerous nephews, nieces in the Netherlands and many extended family including beloved in-laws and friends in Canada and the US. John is predeceased by his 4 younger Dutch siblings, Fransje, Harrie, Adrian, and Nellie, and his grandson, Leon Carr, of Grand Island, NY (1978-2008)
John was cremated on Dec 11. A small family gathering was held in his honor in Nelson the following day. Mountain Lake Seniors Community will host a Celebration of Life gathering that will include John on Thursday, January 10th at 11:00 am. All are welcome to attend.
Family and friends may send pictures, written memories, good stories, interesting family history and favorite jokes to: gbyejvr18@gmail.com in preparation for an early summer time of sharing and placement of John’s ashes.
Thank you to the caring staff at Mountain Lake, Nelson Hospice, Nelson End of Life Society, and all friends and family who have crossed paths with John during his life.
“You are one of seven billion people. Get over yourself.”
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of VanRooy John Date of Death:
December 7 2018..
Source: thompson funeral service
Death notice for the town of: Nelson, Province: Colombie britanique