Saturday, September 17, 2011

In Memoriam

007


Sjoerd (Johnny) Teyema, born in Garijp, Friesland in the Netherlands on August 20, 1929, died at Menno Home in Abbotsford, BC on September 7, 2011.

My Dad leaves behind his wife of 58 years, 5 daughters and 2 sons, 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.

I leave you with excerpts from the memorial service program, collaboratively put together by his daughters.

“Dad was trained as a carpenter and took military training but just missed being deployed to Indonesia.

Soon after their marriage on June 4, 1953, Dad and Mom emigrated to Canada. They settled in Winnipeg and, in 1966, moved to Abbotsford. They also lived in Salmon Arm for a while until they moved back to Abbotsford in 1987.

Dad had many jobs in his life time, including picking vegetables, steel foundry making train wheels and general handyman. After moving to BC, he worked at building homes with Mattie Homes. He was then self employed, building many barns throughout the Fraser Valley. Finally, he worked as a custodian at Abbotsford Christian School and volunteered as a crossing guard.

During retirement, Dad enjoyed talking, making wooden toys, gardening, and his daily walks. Alzheimer’s took a firm hold on Dad in the 2000’s and gradually he was unable to do all of the things he loved.

Dad moved into Menno Home in 2007, made friends in a way that transcended barriers and lived there until his passing.”

He may be gone from us, but his legacy will live on in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He has left an indelible mark on all our lives.

Love you forever, Dad.

8 comments:

  1. I am so sorry for your loss. Your gather sounded like a hard-working, loving, family man. Take good care.

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  2. Oops! gather = father. Sorry!

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  3. I am so, so sorry to hear about your father. I lost my father this summer too. Take care of yourself in the midst of your grief.

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  4. I am so sorry your father passed - he sounds like a lovely person.

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  5. I'm sorry about your father. Losing a parent leaves such a hole in our lives. He sounds like a wonderful man.

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  6. Having lost my own Father to Alzheimer's, I may understand a little of what you have felt and thought. I am very sorry for the loss of your Father. Your post was lovely.

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  7. Sorry to hear about your father, always sad when someone you love must be missed, but I like to read that your father is from Garijp, that's were I moved with my family 9 years ago!

    Siem

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  8. I'm a bit late, but my sincere condoleances! Veel sterkte met het verlies.

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