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Gerrit (Jerry) Rietveld

November 4, 1930 – January 1, 2011

After a short battle with cancer, the Lord has taken home Jerry Rietveld, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He passed away at the age of 80 at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, Palliative Care Unit. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Antonia (Toni); children: Keith (Gerlinde), Jenny, Ada (Steve), Terrena (Dave), Eric (June), Marion (Andy), Jacquie (Fabian); fourteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Jerry was born in Oudewater, Netherlands, moved to St. Thomas, Ontario in 1953 and then to Nanaimo, British Columbia in 1987. Throughout his life Jerry was an active member of his church, dedicated many hours to the Yarmouth Volunteer Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter, enjoyed his outdoor work as golf course superintendent and yard care as well as working full time as an orderly at St. Thomas General Hospital. His other passions included golf, bowling, walking the family dog, or any other activity he could enjoy with his loving wife.

We would like to extend our greatest appreciation to the doctors and nurses of the Palliative Care Unit, their dedication, kindness, care, and support during Dad’s final week was outstanding.

“Don’t weep at my grave, for I am not there,

I’ve a date with a butterfly to dance in the air.

I’ll be singing in the sunshine, wild and free,

playing tag with the wind, while I wait for thee.”

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held on Saturday, January 8, 2011, 1:30 pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Palliative Care Unit of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.



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