Obituaries

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of John Martin Verhoeve,

beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, on the 29^th of June 2020.

He was predeceased by his wife Lenie, parents Anna and Arie, and several brothers

and sisters. He leaves behind his son John (Deborah), daughters Annette (Rick),

Cindy (Chris), and Michele (Bob), sisters Lenie and Annie, brothers Herman and

Joop, as well as grandchildren Krista, Danica, Willem, Leah, Anneke, Maddy,

and Jackson and many nieces and nephews. John was born 9^th of 14 children

so it’s not surprising that he seized every opportunity and challenged life with

such gusto. John grew up in Holland during the Second World War, surviving the

Nazi occupation. He enjoyed gymnastics, playing soccer, and spending time

with his friends. After the war, he apprenticed as a baker and went to night

school to earn his business diploma. In 1948, John almost died due to a burst

appendix, spending nearly 3 months in the hospital. Thanks to the recent discovery

of penicillin he was able to pull through. John met his sweetheart, Lenie, soon after

and they got engaged in 1954. Many new opportunities were being offered overseas

and John and Lenie seized the chance to make a better life for themselves.

John and Lenie got married in 1955 and started raising their family; first in

Qualicum Beach and then in Ladysmith, BC where John got a new job.

In 1961, John and Lenie moved to Vancouver where John bought and operated

his own bakery near Vancouver General Hospital. His sausage rolls and meat pies

would become famous in later years. Soon after moving to Vancouver they bought

a house in the Marpole area and started attending Mass at St. Anthony’s of Padua.

There they formed many lifelong friends. He was born with a zest and curiosity for life.

He continued to enjoy playing sports such as curling, golf, and lawn bowling later in life.

He loved and valued his family and friends and the time spent with them. There were

many New Year’s parties with sing-alongs and skits.  There were pancake breakfasts

with the Knights of Columbus, and events with the lawn bowling and curling clubs

but the friend connection was always the most important to him. John and Lenie

enjoyed many happy years together traveling and exploring many countries and

enjoying cruises with friends. Favourite trips included the east coast of Canada,

Japan, and Western Europe. John: your family, friends, teammates, fellow Knights

will miss your stories, humour, generosity of heart and the never ending twinkle in your eyes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 15th at 11:00 am

at Good Shepherd Parish, 2250 150^th St., Surrey, BC by Fr. Glenn Dion.

(This is by invitation only in accordance with Covid-19 regulations).

The funeral will be live-streamed and can be viewed with this link:

https://youtu.be/tA1RD5lD-ew Interment at the Gardens of Gethsemani to

follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations are gratefully accepted

for the Canadian Cancer Society. www.cancer.ca/en/?region=bc