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Andy Van Leeuwen
Andy was born August 7th, 1936 in the Netherlands. He came to Canada on March 17th, 1950. Father and Mother and 4 boys took 11 days by a boat called the Beaver Bray in Halifax.
Then, travelling 2 days on the train to Oakville, ON. Staying with Uncle Leonard’s family. Then travelling 1 day by train to Chatham, ON, where the family was driven to Florence, ON in a station wagon by a gentleman who saw the family standing at the train station. At Florence the family was picked up by an Elliot Feed Truck from Shetland. With Dad and the boys in the back, the youngest in between feed bags and his mother in the front between two big Elliot brothers.
It was late in the evening. They picked the muddiest and worst back roads to travel, because along the way there were farmers waiting with tractors in case, we got stuck.
Upon arrival at Duncan Grey’s farm in Shetland, ON the table was full of food including a 3-layer chocolate cake. But everyone was so tired and not hungry, we could not eat.
As an immigrant family, we stayed, lived, and worked with Duncan Grey’s family. Going to school, church, and learning English. We did not know English, but we went to a one room schoolhouse in Shetland where the 2 youngest boys (Andy and Peter) learned to read Dick and Jane books. When Andy left Holland, he already had grade 8 education, but that did not matter in Canada.
We share cropped with Joe Ozie, a Hungarian farmer in Wallaceburg, blocking sugar beets and tomatoes.
Andy started his Auto Mechanic 5-year apprenticeship in 1957 to 1962. He received his Auto Technician diploma in 1962. During this period, he married and adopted 2 children, Linda and Bill. After 10 years, he was divorced and in 1975 married Penny. They moved to Bracebridge where Andy was Service Manager for the Canadian Tire Store. Later moved back to St. Thomas and finally to Tillsonburg.
Before retiring from Canadian Tire, in 1988, Andy was diagnosed with Lymph Node Cancer. But determination and great health care, love from his wife Penny and with God’s Grace did get him through it.
Andy enjoyed gardening, woodworking, making furniture, wood turning and remodelling each house that he shared with Penny. If he did not know how to do the electrical, plumbing, roofing, then he would learn how to do it! He could almost fix anything broken or fashion a replacement part. Neighbours and friends will acknowledge this, as he helped many others. He was generous with his time by volunteering at St. Paul’s United Church in his later years.
Andy is survived by his brother Peter, his sister-in-law Nel, his sister-in-law Sandra Murray and several nieces and nephews.
Andy was the loving son of the late Cornelius and Petronella Van Leeuwen. He was predeceased by his brothers Jan, Henk, Dick (Willy), and sister-in-law Hermana.
Cremation has taken place.
There will be a memorial visitation and service for Andy at a later date. Dates and times will be announced.
Memorial donations to the Guide Dogs of Canada or St. Paul’s United Church, Tillsonburg and can be made directly or by contacting Ostrander’s Funeral Home who have been entrusted with arrangements.
Personal memories and condolences may be made at www.ostrandersfuneralhome.com
Monday July 31st 2023
Death notice for the town of: Tillsonburg, Province: Ontario
death notice Andy Van leeuwen Monday July 31st 2023
obituaries notice Andy Van leeuwen Monday July 31st 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Andy Van leeuwen Monday July 31st 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
