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In Celebration of
John Leo Van Kampen
December 1, 1957 –
October 4, 2024
John Van Kampen passed in his home of 25 years on October 4 after a 4-year battle with Frontotemporal Dementia with Parkinsonism and Aphasia. He leaves behind Barbara Fanson, his wife of 25 years and his only child Kristen Van Kampen, 21, who gave him strength and joy during the rough times.
He joins his father Pieter and is survived by his mother Melania, 93. John was the eldest of 6 children: Leo (Joanne), George (Dawn), Jerry (Corinne), Carol (Art), and Mary (Joel).
Though John was very quiet, he had an enormous heart and a wonderful sense of humour. He was also generous, loyal, and caring. Though he had aphasia and didn’t talk for almost 4 years, the hearty John Van Kampen chuckle was his last vocalization.
As a child, John enjoyed farming with the Stoop families in Wainfleet. In 1981, he earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Engineering at the University of Guelph. Later, he became a Professional Engineer who designed conveyors for the automotive industry. He was a problem solver at Daifuku Webb Hamilton for 24 years and also at home.
John enjoyed building furniture from solid oak wood, played Sudoku, hiked, and did picture puzzles. He loved to travel and saw all 10 Canadian provinces and Yukon, 20 states, and 18 countries. He’s been on a helicopter, airboat, submarine, cruise ship, and several airplanes. He’s climbed mountains, visited caves, toured lighthouses, and walked on Shove Ice on Lake Erie.
He participated in the third phase of a drug trial to increase progranulin in the brain and several other dementia studies.
His life will be celebrated with a visitation on Thursday, October 10 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Bay Gardens Funeral Home, 947 Rymal Road East in Hamilton. Funeral service on Friday, October 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena, 620 Rymal Road East in Hamilton. Internment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, 700 Chapel Hill Road, Stoney Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society and St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation in London, Ontario. Online condolences can be made to www.baygardens.ca
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December 1 1957
October 4 2024
Death notice for the town of: Hamilton, Province: Ontario
death notice John Leo Van Kampen December 1 1957
October 4 2024
obituaries notice John Leo Van Kampen December 1 1957
October 4 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of John Leo Van Kampen December 1 1957
October 4 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
