April 22, 1936 - April 4, 2024
Our dad, Ole, came to Canada as a young man after supporting his mother and siblings through the desperation and devastation of war torn Holland.
He paid his own fare to Canada and received nothing when he arrived.
Landing in Pier 21, Halifax, he boarded a cattle train bound for Alberta where he worked as a ranch hand for room and board.
He worked hard, saved his meagre earnings and eventually was able to sponsor his Mom and siblings Fred, Arnie, Quinty and Otti.
During a trip to Halifax he was struck by Cupid’s arrow. This love kept him in Halifax and saw him apprentice as an auto mechanic starting a new chapter in his life with his new bride Doris.
His sense of duty prompted him to join the Canadian Air Force during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
This time in the RCAF saw him and his young family transferred numerous times to various CF bases and in 1968 Ole and Doris decided to settle for good in Barrie, Ontario. Here he commenced a long and honourable career as one of the first officers in the Barrie Police Force.
We lost our Dad just shy of his 88th birthday and though comparatively, he lived a long life, for his children and grandchildren it wasn’t long enough.
His honesty, integrity, work ethic and especially his contagious sense of fun will be missed. We are comforted knowing he is in Heaven with Carla and Mackenzie and we will forever feel their spirits with us.
Jamie, Emily and Cathie along with grandchildren Evan, Christopher, Simon, Maeve and Terence were Ole’s pride and joy along with his wife Doris. Needless to say we are all heartbroken.
Our family is extremely grateful for the exceptional care our Dad received at Victoria Village Manor, especially during his last days. For this reason, instead of flowers, we encourage you to make a donation to Victoria Village Staff Appreciation Fund either through the Canada Helps website: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/54243 or by cheque made payable to Victoria Village Manor with “ staff appreciation” in the memo section.
“ And the Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”