Obituary
Marcel Paul Alexander, Baron van der Borch tot Verwolde van Vorden
Age 79 Kingston, NB –
it is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Marcel
born June 28, 1941 in Soekaboemi, Java, Dutch East Indies (Indonesia). As a toddler
in WWII, Marcel and his mother were in three different Japanese internment camps
while his father served with the Dutch Army and unfortunately died in a Japanese POW
camp in Niihama, Japan. He and his mother were repatriated to the Netherlands quite a
few months after the war ended. Marcel immigrated to Canada with his mother,
stepfather and brother in 1953. When he was old enough, he became a proud
Canadian and joined the Royal Canadian Navy serving for over 28 years in both Halifax,
NS and Esquimalt, BC. After retiring from the Navy, he worked Quality Control on the
Frigate Program with Irving Shipyards in Saint John. Between 1988 and 1990 he
designed and built his home in Kingston NB with own skilled hands, taking much pride
in his workmanship. For the last twenty plus years he has enjoyed many hobbies such
as carpentry, golfing, billiards, darts and gardening (which any good Dutchman enjoys).
He had a long-standing dart and billiards night at his house with his Sunday night crew
(you know who you are). He was a loving husband to Marion Carol (nee Eastwood);
cherished father to Michele van der Borch (Kingston, NB) and Sondra Clegg (Scott
Comeau) (Fall River, NS), and adored grandfather to Caitlin and Danielle Clegg (Fall
River, NS). Surviving is his brother Baron Frederic JP van der Borch tot Verwolde van
Vorden (Linda); sisters-in-law, Donna Miller (Alex), Karen Fennell; Juana Thorne (Don);
Brenda Cobbett (Rick); brother-in-law Eric Eastwood (Kathy) as well as numerous
nephews and nieces and their extended families both in Canada and the Netherlands.
He will also be missed by his oldest friend (brother by choice) Gerry Schaap (Heidi) as
well as his old navy buddy and friend Al Murray (Madeline). Marcel was predeceased
by his parents Marcel Alexander Baron van der Borch tot Verwolde van Vorden and
Henriette Pauline van der Borch tot Verworlde (nee Muller); Stepfather Paul JE Baron
van der Borch tot Verwolde van Vorden; brother and sister-in-law Hans and Terese
Lammers (Netherlands); infant twin brothers (Dutch East Indies); father and mother-in-
law, Karl and Marion Eastwood; sister-in-law Gail Eastwood; brother-in-Law Terry
Fennell; and son-in-law Tim Clegg.
Despite his difficult childhood he overcame many obstacles to become a very loving
husband, father, grandfather and friend, who would do anything for his family and
friends – your passing has left a whole in our hearts. Michele and Sondra express our
deepest gratitude to everyone that helped during this past year.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Fundy Funeral Home and due to COVID
restrictions a celebration of life service will be delayed until late Summer or Fall. In lieu
of flowers, donations in Marcel’s memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society
or charity of choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marcel van der Borch, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marcel van der Borch June 28 1941 February 28 2021 (age 79)..
Death notice for the town of: Saint-John, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick