November 16, 1931 - February 21, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It's with heart felt sadness that we announce the passing of Hank Vander Mast.
Hank was born in Holland on December 16th, 1931 and moved to Canada on his own at the young age of 21 in 1953.
He was working in Alberta in 1956 when he caught wind of a Dutch family that had recently moved near by with 3 daughters.
That lead to him meeting the love of his life Leny Vander Mast (predeceased in 2018) and they married in 1961.
Hank had one son, Mitchell Vander Mast, Daughter-In-Law, Rhonda and two Grandchildren, Jaclyn and Stewart, all of whom he loved with great devotion.
Hank had a huge love for animals, (especially dogs), that came from working on farms in Holland and briefly in Alberta before moving to Vancouver Island for the rest of his life.
Working the majority of his life in construction, Hank was always an extremely hard working individual and not the easiest to work for. However, if you put your head down and gave an honest day's work, you had earned his respect and admiration.
Outside of work, Hank was a very generous and caring man. Never one to turn his back on a friend in need, he had the love of many.
A special "Thank You" to Arrowsmith Lodge and their wonderful staff who took incredible care of Hank in his last year and Nanaimo Seniors Village for all of their love and care in the years previous.
At Hank's request, there will be no memorial service.