Obituary
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Theodore (Ted, Teddy, Tedje) van Overdijk. He took a terrible tumble down the stairs the night before Christmas Eve, and departed this world on December 28, 2022. Fiercely joyful, proud and independent, he was 86 in numbers only.
His name meant gift of God, and he truly was. He was not one for organized religion, but lived a spiritual life. Ever content and self reliant, he cared deeply for the needs of others and the world around him, doing and giving without expectation, rarely allowing life’s disappointments to disrupt his cheerful and positive disposition.
A voracious reader and history buff, he believed that humanity only moves forward if we learn from mistakes of the past, in fundamental fairness, and that with the privilege of freedom, came social responsibility. He not only talked the talk, he walked the walk in his professional and daily life, contributing to the fabric of this country and society, advocating for and supporting the less fortunate. His last words were about the importance of those very beliefs! He had great confidence in the younger generation to do a better job, because they embody diversity and inclusivity.
Born in s’Hertogenbosch NL, he moved to Canada as a young man in 1957, obtained a Masters of Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 1962, and began his career in social work in Dauphin, Manitoba.
He moved to Brantford, Ontario in 1966 and served as long-time Executive Director of both Brant Children’s Aid Society and Canadian Mental Health Association (Peel).
In his ‘retirement’ years, he helped run Mark’s Christmas Trees, which kept him active, busy and afforded him the daily pleasure of “playing in the dirt” as he put it. He had great respect for the environment, and as a watershed steward for Spencer Creek, he used elbow grease instead of chemicals and pesticides, and was out with customers and riding his tractor on his last day at home.
An avid adventurer, he and Nimmi travelled widely, visiting friends, family and interesting places across the globe. As an active member and top tenor with the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir, he had the opportunity to perform with his fellow choristers close to home, and on fun filled tours to Ireland, Belgium, and the UK where they performed at various venues including the Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall in London, and in his hometown where they were welcomed and celebrated in grand Dutch style.
He enjoyed an active social life, loved football (aka soccer), especially watching his grandkids play, sailing, playing bridge, music, culture and arts. He was admired by all who knew him for his positive, can-do attitude and determination to keep on moving, despite having sustained a war injury as a child in 1944. He played tennis competitively until his fifties, and often explained that his secret to enjoying life was mind over matter. “If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter!”
Nothing gave him greater pleasure than enjoying the company of his family and friends. He will be deeply grieved and missed by his best friend and life partner Nimmi Khurana, and his step-daughter Sonia Khurana (Bobby Anand). He is survived by his children George (Diane), David (Karen Parmenter), and Mark (Natasha MacDonald), as well as grandchildren Maxwell (Robyn MacLellan), Eric, Aline (Callum Mclean), and Peter, and great-grandchildren Oliver and Paisley. Ted is also survived by sisters Liz Gottfred and Ruth Damen (Bernie Damen), his late brother John’s wife Vinnia van Overdijk, and numerous nieces and nephews. He also raised three stepsons Troy (Jackie), Colin, and Ryan. He is pre-deceased by his parents Elisabeth and William.
A few of his favourite charities included War Child Canada, Canadian Children’s Asthma Society, food banks, and of course, the Canadian Orpheus Male Choir. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations in his name to these or a charity of choice would be appreciated by the family.
As per his wishes, cremation has taken place, and there will be a private family service. A celebration of his life will take place in due course.
In the meantime, his sons invite you to drop by the Royal Coachman at 1 Main St N, Waterdown on Friday January 6, 2023, from 6pm onwards for a non-hosted bar, to raise a glass to celebrate their wonderful Father.
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We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Theodore ‘Ted’ van Overdijk April 25 1936
December 28 2022 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
Death notice for the town of: Waterdown, Province: Ontario
death notice Theodore ‘Ted’ van Overdijk April 25 1936
December 28 2022
mortuary notice Theodore ‘Ted’ van Overdijk April 25 1936
December 28 2022