Pieter passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, January 5, 2023. He lived a life of quiet faith, gratitude and service, often talking of how God was his constant guide in life. His greatest joy was his family both near and far. Pieter was thankful for the care we as a family were able to give him to honour his wish to stay at home until his last week at Hospice. He was predeceased by his wife Tina and will be greatly missed by his son, Ed (Yvonne); grandchildren, Karen (Mike), Dave (Diana) and great-grandchildren, Justin, Jackson, Marshall, Adam & Kyle. We were all blessed to be a part of his life. Dad, Opa, Super Opa, you will be missed. Thank you for the love, laughs and support you have given to us all.
We wish to extend a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Hospice and the Saanich Community Health Nurses for all their support and care. In lieu of flowers a donation to Hospice would be appreciated. A private family service was held this week.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Anke Lunenberg
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Sarah de Walle Ed, Yvonne and family!!! My condolences!!! Victoria won’t be the same without Oom Piet!!! We are grateful for some of Oom Piets paintings in our home!!! Fond memories. I remember Oom Piet trying to get me to eat more potatoes when I was a teenager dating his Ed!!!
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Nienke Reitsma I want to wish the family much strength. I have fond memories of Piet when I was with my father Guus and his girlfriend for a day with them in Canada 18 years ago.
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paul reitsma Shortly after they married Uncle Pieter/Aunt Tina immigrated, like so many after WW2, to Canada in 1952. As he often told me, to work hard and secure a brighter future. They succeeded, in all aspects,
and then some! One son, 2 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. He was a man of few words but many deeds, sought no glory, fiercely proud of his family. He quietly helped establishing the Church in Victoria as well as Up Island. He loved, not feared, his Creator, lived by the Biblical teaching of
“Honor your Father&Mother so that your days be lengthened”. His stories about visiting our Great Aunt
Tita, who lived to a ripe age of 104, were ever so moving and an example of the importance of family.
He was a Builder, literally and figuratively. As serious a man as he was, he had a great sense of humor, self-deprecating. The time, when working in a hardware store, he proudly came up with a model-plane set instead of the tool to shave wood or when we lovingly teased Aunt Tina, whose spotless cleanliness was legendary, asking if she also dusted the ice-cubes. A serious near fatal brush with death while working on the Johnstone Street bridge(Google http://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/jack-knox-the-bridge-is-up-and-hes-hanging-on-for-dear-life) printed Feb. 4/2018, left a Life-long impression on him as well as fear of heights. It is an incredible story!!
Both took a chance sponsoring my immigration April 1970, wanting a better future for myself also.
I remember that Sunday Evening arriving at 10pm, driving back in the big red car with the turn
signals on the edges of the very front. I often re-read his letters after arriving as they were inspiring, uplifting and full of practical advice. Still have them.
He welcomed my partner Tone to the family many years ago. His now completed sojourn allowed his Soul
to vacate his Earthly body, just as the butterfly is free after leaving its cocoon. As we said
goodbye to him here, his Soul will be welcomed/reunited with Aunt Tina and all those loved ones who proceeded him crossing over to The Oher Side. Tears (the windshield wipers of the Soul)? Sure, why
not? Celebration of his Life? You bet!!
As my partner Tone said: A very kind and thoughtful family man. A special mentioning of his son
Edwin and daughter-in-law Yvonne who for many years made sure, by looking after him so incredibly
well, he could stay in his home up to a few days before his crossing over.Paul Reitsma(nephew) and Tone.
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Frank de Walle He was open and honest about his feelings. He was supportive and loving. He sure enjoyed a good laugh, and even better if it came with a good cup of coffee. Ed & Yvonne, and kids and grandkids, I hope you find comfort at this time.
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Kenn and Alana Pearce Ed , Yvonne and family. We are deeply saddened for your loss. We have fond memories of serving Pieter over so many years.
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Rob Reitsma Lieve familieleden, van Edwin en Yvonne tot aan de 5 achterkleinkinderen van Oom Piet,
Mijn/onze geliefde oom is op zeer hoge leeftijd overleden.Wat heeft hij samen met tante Tini een indrukwekkend mooi gezinsleven gehad, en wat was hij trots zolang in Canada zijn familienaam Reitsma te mogen voeren. Hij kon zo boeiend over zijn vader en over zijn broers en zusters vertellen, over de oorlogsperiode en het moment dat hij in mei 1945 de deur van de Holterweg in Deventer opendeed en daar aan de andere kant zijn oudste broer Schelte aantrof die na na 5 jaar krijgsgevangenschap in Duitsland weer als vrije burger thuis kwam. En wat was oom Piet begaan met zijn nichtje tanta Tita , die hij toen zij 101,5 jaar was, nog in het verpleeghuis in Deventer heeft opgezocht.
Over de reis van neef Lode en mij in 2013 naar jullie in Victoria heb ik jullie gisteren al een lange mail gezonden. Ook bij mij/ons heerst grote dankbaarheid voor mijn/onze oom Piet die ik diverse keren in Victoria heb mogen bezoeken. Hij was een familieman puur sang, een boeiende persoonlijkheid.
Wij leven met jullie mee, evenals onze dochter Arjanne die in het verleden ook bij oom Piet is geweest op het Vancouver Isle.
Dat oom Piet moge rusten in vrede.Jenneke, Arjanne en Rob ( Pieter Hendrik) Reitsma
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Teresa It was a honour to meet Pieter and local family. May each of you find comfort in the memories you share that will live on within you. ~ Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love ~
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John De Jong So sorry for your loss Ed & Yvonne. Pete was always very good to me. When he gave me the contract to wire the Townhouses I was just starting out and so appreciated the work. I did several jobs for you and your dad and he was always great to work with.
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Samuel deWalle My condolences: Om Piet was a great guy and I have fond memories of him. I hope the family is well. Best regards.
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Cathy Wilson Dear Ed, Yvonne and Family.
We are so very sorry to hear of your Dear Dad’s passing and hope that all of your wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.
With love and tears, ❤Kerry & Cathy
Ach, ik zie het nu pas. Oom Piet en tante Tiny in Canada. Oom Piet en Ed heb ik nog ontmoet toen ze op bezoek in Nederland waren.
Mijn vader, Jan Lunenberg was een neef van Piet. Mijn opa Ab Lunenberg was een broer van ” tante” Eef, de moeder van Piet.
Alsnog mijn condoleances,