On Sunday September 8, 2024 the Lord call home our husband, father and Pakka, Harry De Witt. Dad passed away peacefully with his family at his side at the Boyne Lodge 1 day after his 94" birthday.
Harry was born to Doede and Hile De Witt on Sept 7, 1930 in Opende, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Dad was the 2nd of 8 children to grow up free and easy in the country side of Friesland. He shared many memories of a happy childhood of fishing and boating in the canals and collecting and frying eggs in the meadows. His love for nature was evident then already and continued in his drawings and many projects he built and painted. Dad married the love of his life Mary Endeman on August 2, 1957, and together they raised 4 children in Fergus, Ontario. Dad always kept busy with many hobbies including gardening, fishing, painting and especially woodworking. Dad's life was full of many different jobs like so many immigrants, which included working in the Shoe Factory, construction, farming, electrical and janitorial work. Holidays included camping and many trips over the years to the west to visit children and grandchildren. Once they retired, they cherished many trips in their camper van with their lifelong friends we call the 'Super 8'. Dad may have been teased to be a stubborn Friesian, but he was by nature a happy and loving man whose beautifully simple, strong faith in God never wavered. He loved his God and his family and was very content with his blessings. Dad was able to witness to others his dependency on God as he could often be heard in prayer in the last year of his life.
With all of their children and grand children living in the west, along with the challenges of Covid, Dad and Mom moved to Carman in March of 2021 so family could assist them in their old age. Due to health concerns dad went into care at the Carman Hospital and this past May dad was transferred to the Boyne Lodge.
Dad was predeceased by his grandson Jason De Witt and his great grand daughter Angela Breukelman.
Dad leaves to mourn his wife Mary of 67 years, Don and Louise De Witt, Jeff and Jane VanLeeuwen, John and Hilly Beukema, Henry and Betty Breukelman, 20 grandchildren and spouses and 58 great grand children as well as many family and friends in Ontario.
The funeral is on Friday September 13, 2024, at the Canadian Reformed Church East at 11am with Rev. Carl Van Dam officiating. Babysitting will be available at the service. A private internment will take place before the funeral service. https://www.youtube.com/c/CanadianReformedChurchofCarmanEast
The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thank you for the exceptional care dad received during his stay in Carman Hospital and the Boyne Lodge. Our community is richly blessed with these men and women who care for our loved ones.
Harry was born to Doede and Hile De Witt on Sept 7, 1930 in Opende, Groningen, the Netherlands.
Dad was the 2nd of 8 children to grow up free and easy in the country side of Friesland. He shared many memories of a happy childhood of fishing and boating in the canals and collecting and frying eggs in the meadows. His love for nature was evident then already and continued in his drawings and many projects he built and painted. Dad married the love of his life Mary Endeman on August 2, 1957, and together they raised 4 children in Fergus, Ontario. Dad always kept busy with many hobbies including gardening, fishing, painting and especially woodworking. Dad's life was full of many different jobs like so many immigrants, which included working in the Shoe Factory, construction, farming, electrical and janitorial work. Holidays included camping and many trips over the years to the west to visit children and grandchildren. Once they retired, they cherished many trips in their camper van with their lifelong friends we call the 'Super 8'. Dad may have been teased to be a stubborn Friesian, but he was by nature a happy and loving man whose beautifully simple, strong faith in God never wavered. He loved his God and his family and was very content with his blessings. Dad was able to witness to others his dependency on God as he could often be heard in prayer in the last year of his life.
With all of their children and grand children living in the west, along with the challenges of Covid, Dad and Mom moved to Carman in March of 2021 so family could assist them in their old age. Due to health concerns dad went into care at the Carman Hospital and this past May dad was transferred to the Boyne Lodge.
Dad was predeceased by his grandson Jason De Witt and his great grand daughter Angela Breukelman.
Dad leaves to mourn his wife Mary of 67 years, Don and Louise De Witt, Jeff and Jane VanLeeuwen, John and Hilly Beukema, Henry and Betty Breukelman, 20 grandchildren and spouses and 58 great grand children as well as many family and friends in Ontario.
The funeral is on Friday September 13, 2024, at the Canadian Reformed Church East at 11am with Rev. Carl Van Dam officiating. Babysitting will be available at the service. A private internment will take place before the funeral service. https://www.youtube.com/c/CanadianReformedChurchofCarmanEast
The family wishes to extend our heartfelt thank you for the exceptional care dad received during his stay in Carman Hospital and the Boyne Lodge. Our community is richly blessed with these men and women who care for our loved ones.