Albertus Henri van Delft was born in Amsterdam on January 15, 1934. He died on January 5, 2022 in Trail, BC.
Bert was a man of many parts. He was a friend, father, and Opa to many people.
Bert’s career was as a technician, selling and repairing cash registers and liquor systems.
He also had many loves. He loved to fix things and was happiest when his fingers were busy. The list is long: repairing and remodelling houses, putting an engine on a bicycle, repairing computers, and becoming a locksmith was easy for him. Mending socks? Hemming pants? He had his own sewing box.
Those busy fingers also created Indonesian food that everyone enjoyed. His peanut sauce was the best. As a good cook, he made delicious soups and his tenderloin seared in hot butter was delicious.
A life-long love was camping. It began with a tent and a bicycle when he was a teenager. Rainy Holland? He didn’t mind. In Canada he renovated a van into a camper. He loved the wild.
Conscription was an unavoidable part of his life. He served in the Dutch Navy for 2 years – without ever being on a ship. He told many stories of his experiences with the Papuan people in New Guinea.
Bert’s relationships were sometimes complex, perplexing at times, and not always easy. However he loved others deeply, as he demonstrated in often unexpected ways.
The playtime of his life involved ballroom dancing. Bert took lessons and danced his favourite dance – the tango – more often than one can count. He also loved cards and the Dutch card game of Klaverjassen. In later life he also learned how to play bridge.
Bert retained his Dutch personality and accent that he brought with him to Canada 53 years ago. His Amsterdam humour was very off-beat and often he left Canadians scratching their heads.
He bought a vacation home in Trail six and one half years ago, and enjoyed his final years spending a lot of time there close to his family. He enjoyed views of the mountains and Columbia River from two sides of his home, the lights on the bridge, the birds at the feeder on his window, and the easy small town traffic. He was in a place that made him happy.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Albertus Bert Henri van Delft January 5th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique