Obituary
In the presence of family, the death of Marinus Wilhelmus de Groot occurred on April 29, 2022 peacefully at the age of 92 at the Campbellton Regional Hospital. He was born on October 13, 1929 in Noordwijkerhout, Holland. He was the 3rd of 16 children born to Cornelius de Groot and Maria (Kouwenhoven) de Groot.
After immigrating from Holland and settling in California, Marinus moved to Jacquet River with his wife Hillegonda (van Schie) and children and began dairy farming. In 1962 , the family moved to Eel River Crossing where the farming enterprise continues to thrive.
For Marinus, age was never a barrier to learning new things. He always found a way to accomplished what he set out to do. Over time, with the support of family and friends, he learned to use the computer, to navigate the internet, to set up excel spreadsheets and to use accounting software to the best of his abilities. His insatiable curiosity led him to undertake many projects ranging from wine-making and growing various grapes and apples to creating his own laundry soap.
Retirement brought a passion for dancing (square dancing and ballroom dancing) with Hillegonda (Hilda). They would often be found dancing together in the kitchen. Anywhere there was music, they were bound to be dancing. Another great passion was gardening and Marinus took great pride in growing vegetables of all varieties. His rows were perfectly straight and not a weed ever survived to tell the tale.
Marinus was always very involved in his community. He was one of three farmers who advocated and succeeded in including the North of the province as part of the Milk Marketing Board. He assumed various leadership roles in the farming community, the Golden Age Club (with special interest in the Senior Summer Games), the Milk Marketing Board, Les Aventuriers Ski Club and the Dalhousie Legion Branch.
Upon Hilda’s diagnosis of dementia, Marinus was forced to assume many of the household tasks and even learned how to make bread. Marinus was determined to keep Hilda by his side and looked after her at home with the support of family until very recently.
Marinus was a man with a love of life who never feared a challenge and loved to help his family out. No matter where he went, everyone knew Marinus de Groot if you met him once you remembered him. His boisterous laugh never failed to fill the room.
He will be missed by his wife, Hilda ( Hillegonda); his children, Trudy (Bob), Peter (Lynn), Nick (Carol), Bill (Paula), Junior (Denise), John (Nicole); 20 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren who he thought the world of; sister Ria, brothers Father Ignatius, Brother Peter, Ben, Leo and Albert and daughter-in-law Donna.
He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Leni, Clazien, and Mein and brothers Mgr. James, Bill, Nick, Joey, Cor, and Gerry and his son and daughter-in-law Ron and Carole.
According to his wishes a funeral service will be held at the Saint John Bosco Church, Dalhousie on May 5, 2022 at 11 am. Funeral arrangements are in the care of MacMillan’s Funeral Home, Black Point.
In lieux of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
All members of branch 17 of the Royal Canadian Legion are ask to be at the Church 15 minutes prior to the service.
To send flowers to Marinus Wilhelmus de Groot’s family, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marinus Wilhelmus de Groot May 2 1929 April 29 2022 (age 92)..
Death notice for the town of: Black-Point, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick