February 17, 1922 – September 29, 2024
Peacefully, on September 29, 2024, at the Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg, Harry (Opa) passed away at the impressive age of 102. Harry is predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Maria (Oma), his son Karel, and grandson Don. He leaves behind his son and daughter-in-law, Harry and Joanne, daughter-in-law, Lynn, his grandchildren Mia, Monica, Michael and Karolyn, great-grandchildren Drake and Oliver, close friend Marlene, and many friends and relatives in the Netherlands and here in Winnipeg.
Harry, (Opa), was born on February 17, 1922, in Venlo, Netherlands. He had one brother and five sisters and would often tell stories about being in a house with five girls – “Can you imagine, sharing one washroom with five girls? Ha!”. He went to boarding school when he was eight and spent his childhood years swimming in the river or community pool, and playing soccer with friends. He met our Oma in Venlo when they were both kids living in the same neighbourhood and over the next few years they became friends. During World War II, Opa worked just over the border in Germany and would sneak back home from time to time to see his family. He reconnected with Oma when the war was over and they were married in Venlo in 1947.
In 1951 they immigrated to Canada with their son, Karel, and Opa quickly found work at a bakery in The Pas, Manitoba, where they later welcomed their son, Harry. After moving to Winnipeg, Opa and Oma opened Harry’s Bakery on Sargent Avenue and were in business for 18 years. Opa went on to work in the bakery at Misericordia Hospital until he retired in 1986. After years of making memories at their cottage on Star Lake in the Whiteshell, hosting friends and family to delicious meals and baking at their home on Jessie Avenue, and countless card games, they moved to Vancouver Island where they spent many more wonderful years road-tripping across Canada and the USA and making meaningful memories and friendships. In 2002 they moved back to Winnipeg to be closer to family.
After Oma’s passing in 2009, Opa continued to go on road-trips and was still driving until the ripe old age of 99! Every time he would stop by he would always bring us a bag of homemade buns or bread and was sure to bake a cake for every occasion. Opa continued to travel back home to Venlo every two years to visit the many friends and family he stayed connected with through the years until he could no longer travel. He always looked forward to going to “the Pub” in Venlo to reconnect with everyone and reminisce about his time there. Even though he left for Canada in 1951, Venlo was always his home.
Opa moved into Middlechuch Home of Winnipeg, where he was a volunteer for many years, after celebrating his 100th birthday. He always looked forward to seeing his group of ladies who would visit and take him for lunch from time to time. We would like to express our thanks to everyone who cared for and knew Opa at Middlechurch Home of Winnipeg. He will be missed.
A private family service will be held at time of interment.
Family and friends are invited to share memories and condolences on Harry’s memorial page using the comment field below.
