Our beloved Dad and Opa passed away on November 30th, 2017 following a brief illness, five days short of his 86th birthday. Born in Limburg, Netherlands on December 5, 1931, he married his sweetheart Katharina (Toos) in 1954 and immigrated to Canada three years later.
He leaves us to join our precious Mom and Oma, who passed away in March 2006. He will be forever remembered by his children, Tony (Leanne), Gerald (Lisa), Monique (Martin) Cain; grandchildren, Jennifer, James (Erin), Jane, Andrew (Denise), Madelyn (Jayden); and great-grandchildren, Addyson and Ethan. Family in the Netherlands and Canada, dear Dutch friends, good neighbours and his dog Chuckie will miss him greatly.
Friends and family will gather at Holland House, 733 Vanalman Avenue, Victoria, on Saturday, January 20th, 2018 at 1:00 pm to remember Theo.
A special thank you to Bayshore Home Health for their exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
14 Responses
Theo was my uncle, being the oldest brother of my late mother. I always enjoyed his company, when I was in Canada, or here in Holland, or on our way through France, watching the “Tour de France” with a kind of self built camper. I admired his way of looking at things, a kind of “no nonsense” spirit, being concerned without “overkilling” and his free way of speaking about his life and the final chapter, during our last visit in August 2017. What a courage he had to emigrate to Canada in those years, without any knowledge of English, a fixed job, money or any other certainties, other than the love for his Toos and the idea that they would manage! They really did, and they created for their children the opportunity to build their own lives in Canada. They lost a great (grand)father, and surely they will miss him a lot.
Andre van den Enden
To the family of Theo Kersten:
It is with very fond memories that I read the obituary of your father —
I first met Theo during our first week of residence in Victoria: August, 1973.
We had moved from Regina and I came a few months before my husband was able to be here permanently as we had children to enrol in school.
I was busy painting a bedroom [386 Newport Ave.] , taking advantage of my husband’s absence so that he could not interfere with my decisions,
when our doorbell rang — our good fortune in connecting with your father. He had worked at this address for a former owner and was beginning
his own business and calling on his former customers. Since that date until his retirement, we were able to proudly display his decorating.
In 1991, we moved into our new home [432 Newport] which was constructed in our backyard — in the days of large lots. He decorated all and we were especially proud of our dining room —
beautifully done and was unchanged when I vacated the home and move into retirement living earlier this year.
John and I so enjoyed the friendship of your father — a fine gentleman. We accepted an invitation to their home [Goldstream, if I recall correctly], and enjoyed a memorable visit with your mother and father and
were able to view his talented art work. He occasionally dropped by for a visit and we did so enjoy his company. When he last visited, my husband’s long journey with dementia had begun, but he would never forget Theo.
John died in November of last year —— and I have such pleasant memories of life together in our two Victoria homes —— and good friends like your Dad.
You were blessed with special parents.
My condolences to you at this time—
Sincerely,
Sheila Rowand.
Dear Tony, Gerald, Monique and family,
We are sorry for your loss. We will keep ome Theo and tante Toos forever in our minds.
Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Kind regards, Ome Johan, Monique, Pol and Pol’s parents, Judith, Marion and Joep
Lieve Tony, Gerald, Monique en familie,
Gecondoleerd met het overlijden van jullie vader en grootvader. Wij wensen jullie heel veel sterkte in deze moeilijke tijd. In gedachten zijn wij bij jullie.