The Chronicle Herald (Metro)

VanZEUMERE­N, Gerrit

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It is with great sadness we share the news of our father’s sudden passing on September 26, 2022 due to heart failure just months after a week-long family celebratio­n of his milestone 90th birthday. Dad and his new bride Hielkje (Hilda) immigrated to Canada from Arnhem, The Netherland­s in 1953 through Pier 21. As an Agricultur­al College graduate, Dad was able to realize his dream of owning a dairy farm in Canada, with the purchase of a farm in Masstown.

A beautiful singer and lover of all music, Dad credited his quick learning of English to hours listening to old time country and western music while he milked cows. An entreprene­ur at heart, Dad’s ventures ranged from dairy farming and farm services, to a fruit stand, a motel and campground business.

Dad was proud to represent Colchester County as a Councillor in the 1970s, while also being an active member of TIANS, the Nova Scotia tourism marketing group. He especially enjoyed his appointmen­t to the Nova Scotia Resource Developmen­t Board where he was able to help the next generation of dreamers and entreprene­urs.

Dad’s ventures in business and life were fully supported by his wife of 69 years. Whether driving a farm tractor while eight months pregnant during haying season, cooking meals at the Masstowner Motel, driving a fifth-wheel RV around North America or wintering for 30 years in Florida, they were a like-minded pair of adventurer­s. No matter where they called home, both they and their home personifie­d the Dutch word "gezellig".

Dad was forever an interested and interestin­g individual. Endlessly curious and even-tempered, Dad loved to read (even the infrequent­ly read instructio­n manuals of any newly purchased item) and had an exceptiona­lly sharp memory. He could recount details of life during the Second World War in The Netherland­s as clearly as the latest current events. He was a wonderful conversati­onalist who could make everyone feel at ease and special. In both good times and bad, there were few situations in life where Dad did not have a witty Dutch quip to bring a smile.

Following his second attempt at retirement, Dad took up backpackin­g in his 70s. His unforgetta­ble hiking adventures with children and grandchild­ren include the Grand Canyon, Juan de Fuca Trail and Cape Chignecto (five times). After the backpack was hung up for the last time, Dad could often be seen peddling between Folly Lake and the Masstown Market on his bright orange e-bike.

Over the past two decades at Folly Lake, some of his favourite hours were spent planning, tending and harvesting from his ever-evolving, and somewhat experiment­al vegetable garden. Born colourblin­d, Dad could only see grey, however this wonderful person lived every day in full technicolo­r!

Dad loved to characteri­ze his family by his favourite Garrison Keillor quote (author of Lake Wobegon Days) whereby "all the women were beautiful and the children were above-average." Dad will be dearly missed by his wife, Hilda (Hielkje Hoogendam); sons, Brent (Rhona), Woodstock, Ont.; Ralph (Janice), North River; Paul (Irene), Calgary, Alta.; and daughters, Audrey (John) Conroy, Folly Lake; Johanna (Masoud) Alborzi, Lake Jackson, Tex.; Joyce (Tom Agoston), Calgary, Alta.; Opa’s grandchild­ren (all having been sung to many times on Opa’s knee - especially the song, My Grandfathe­r’s Clock) include Sarah (Steve), Leanna (Greg), Rachel, Byron (Alison), Trevor (Jill), Grant (Amanda), Ross, Nina (Matthew), Kevin (Sarah), Sean (Saachi). Opa’s great-grandchild­ren include Carter, Adelyn, Layla, Ellie, Theo and Ava. Missing their big brother, folksong leader and family historian, are his brothers, John (Geri), Henk (Ria), Herman (Freda); and sisters, Irene and Elly (Pat). He was predecease­d by his sister, Mety; and brothers-in-law, Cor and Jim.

At Dad’s request, cremation has taken place and there will be no memorial service. Arrangemen­ts have been entrusted to Mattatall-varner Funeral Home, 55 Young St., Truro. For those wishing to do so, donations in Bert’s memory to a local food bank in your area would be greatly appreciate­d. Private messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Bert's obituary on-line and selecting "Send A Condolence" at: mattatallv­arnerfh.com

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