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Obituary
Frederik Jan Reinders
Founder of the Maple Reinders Engineering and Construction Companies
Fred Reinders passed away peacefully on January 25, 2023 in Burlington, Ontario. He was the beloved husband of Jane, with whom he celebrated 68 years of marriage on January 8, 2023. Loved and survived by their five children – Mike (Colleen) Reinders, Karen (Robb) Powell, Hilda (Rob) Balamut, Phil (Betty) Reinders, Harold (Sharon) Reinders, plus 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, and predeceased by his grandson David Powell.
He was born July 22, 1930 in the city of Drachten, Friesland, The Netherlands. Trained as a civil engineer specializing in marine construction, he immigrated to Canada in 1953, where he married his life long love, Jane, in Brockville, Ontario. After working on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway, he was encouraged to achieve Professional Engineer status by attending 4th year Civil Engineering which he completed at University of Toronto in 1960.
Fred’s life was defined by his Christian faith. As a follower of Jesus Christ, he practised his worship of God in his marriage with Jane, his family, business, and charity/church work – always serving and leading, continually looking for solutions and improvement. An avid reader, he loved philosophy and was granted an honourary doctorate of philosophy by the Institute for Christian Studies. Ever the entrepreneur, Fred served on numerous boards, started over 30 companies (including Terraprobe, ProUrban, Maple Structures, North American Hydraulics, Maple Buildings Services) and challenged hundreds of people in their career development.
The F.J.Reinders & Associates and Maple Engineering & Construction companies were birthed in the basement of the Reinders family home in Rexdale in 1967. Maple was a fitting Canadian name especially in the year of Canada’s centennial. The Reinders consulting firm specialized in the design of marine works, aircraft hangars, notably the Wardair hangar in Toronto, subdivisions, as well as buildings of all sorts including churches, schools, Christian universities, offices, plants and warehouses. The company name was later combined with Maple to be Maple Reinders Group, now having offices and construction projects across Canada focusing on environmental facilities and building construction.
Fred provided committed leadership to many Christian organizations, serving as a chair, board member or contributor to Toronto District Christian High School, Redeemer University, Kings University, Institute of Christian Studies, Global Scholars, and various Christian Reformed Church boards in Brockville, Toronto and Mississauga. He loved helping these organizations overcome obstacles and achieve excellent solutions, and is well remembered for his leadership and generosity of time and support.
As a husband and father, Fred carved out time from the business for family vacations, trips to Europe, enjoying time away at the cottage, games and meals. Those qualities and characteristics continue to be lived out by his children and grandchildren.
There will be private family internment. Visitation will be open for all on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 from 4 pm to 8 pm at ClearView Christian Reformed Church (2300 Sheridan Garden Drive, Oakville). A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, February 10, 2023 at 3 pm also at ClearView Church.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre (Mississauga) and Kerr Street Mission (Oakville).
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July 22 1930
January 25 2023
Death notice for the town of: Waterdown, Province: Ontario
death notice Frederik Jan Reinders July 22 1930
January 25 2023
obituaries notice Frederik Jan Reinders July 22 1930
January 25 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Frederik Jan Reinders July 22 1930
January 25 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
