Peter J.’s Obituary
On September 21, 2018, our Petrus (Peter) Johannes Henricus den Biesen died suddenly. He was from Peace River (AB).
Peter was born in the back seat of the old family car, delivered by his dad, on April 19, 1958 on Simcoe St. N. on the way to Oshawa General Hospital, Oshawa, Ontario. He was the youngest son of the four children born to Dutch immigrants, Cornelius (Cor) den Biesen and Petronella (Nellie) Renkens and the only one of the children to be born in Canada.
He grew up in Whitby and neighbouring Brooklin, Ontario. Peter attended St. Leo’s School in Brooklin, and Anderson Collegiate in Whitby, followed by taking his apprenticeship and earning his Red Seal in Automotive Mechanics. He spent his entire working life as a Mechanic, starting out in Whitby and Oshawa, Ontario and then in Peace River, Alberta following his parents move there in 1985. Peter lived in Weberville until two and a half years ago when he moved into town. He worked for Greg’s Esso for many years until it closed, Tri-Star Chrysler and then for Fountain Tire until about four years ago.
From the time he was a toddler, Peter loved taking things apart and putting them back together again…a natural born mechanic, even at a young age! He loved the outdoors, having spent every childhood summer, camping with his family at Sibbald’s Point Provincial Park, Lake Kaminiskeg and Algonquin Park, Ontario. And thanks to his dad, he developed a great love of fishing. The time at his home up the Weberville Road was spent mainly outdoors. He loved doing the yard work.
Given his love of cars and all things mechanical and from the time he had his license, Peter had a dirt bike. When he moved to the Peace Country he continued dirt biking and also took up drag racing with his little red pick-up truck. Living out in the country, where there were no lights to pollute the night sky, Peter developed a love for and interest in astronomy. Incorporating astronomy with amateur photography, he managed to get a great photo of the Hale Bop comet, which was subsequently published in the Peace River Record-Gazette.
Peter preferred the single life and never married, but he remained a devoted son to his mom and dad….never missing a weekly visit, or being there when they needed a helping hand. Peter is predeceased by his parents Cor and Nellie den Biesen of Peace River (AB), his nephew Robert den Biesen of Red Deer (AB) and his great-nephew Reid Hirsekorn, of Redcliff (AB). He is survived and lovingly remembered by his sisters Annelies Batty (Keith), Peace River (AB) and Theresia Barclay, Port Perry (ON) and his brother Casey den Biesen (Ida), Red Deer (AB); his nieces and nephews: Lucas Batty of Peace River (AB); Veronica Radesh (Lyle) of Dewberry (AB); Jessica Hirsekorn (Matt) of Redcliff (AB); Vanessa Bell (Jim) of Dixonville (AB); Andrea Lavoy (Jake) of Oshawa (ON); Allison Ouseley (Deryk) of Oshawa (ON); Jeremy den Biesen (Crystal) of Red Deer (AB) and Mark den Biesen of Red Deer (AB); and his great -nieces and nephews: Clay, Nyla, Rhya, Oliver, Jack, Charlie and Clara.
The family of Peter den Biesen gratefully acknowledges the help received from Victim Services and the RCMP. We are also truly thankful to the very special folks from Chapel of Memories, Peace River for their kind and professional guidance.
Peter will be cremated and a private Celebration of Life and burial of his remains will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, in the Spring 2019.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Peter J den Biesen April 19 1958 September 21 2018..
Chapel of Memories Funeral Homes & Crematorium
Death notice for the town of: Peace River, Province: Alberta