Jacobus W. Hoedeman

He will be deeply missed by Joyce Ryckman, his life partner of 35 years who shared with him a profoundly caring relationship through their life and work together. He is mourned by his children Nienke Hoedeman (John Witjes), Nathan Hoedeman, Anouk Hoedeman (Alex de Vries), and his stepdaughter Jessica Blair. He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Tess and Adam MacIsaac, Kai, Noa and Tia MacLean-Hoedeman, Ariel and Aaron Blair. Predeceased by his brothers Ferry Hoedeman (Elle), Jos Hoedeman (Bea), and Frans Hoedeman (Ineke), he will be fondly remembered by his brother Tom Hoedeman (Francine) and sisters Ans Hoedeman, Ria Hoedeman, Hetty Hoedeman (Edwin Kroese), and Thea Hoedeman (Wim Oudbier) and their families. Also saddened by his death are Judy Sutherland, Janice Johnson (Barry), and James Ryckman, as well as friends and associates in the animated film community.

Co Hoedeman arrived in Montreal from the Netherlands in 1965 and became part of the National Film Board of Canada’s renowned animation unit. It was there where he became part of the vanguard in Quebec animation, launching a distinguished career combining animated film, writing, and directing. He was the director of three independent productions and of more than 27 acclaimed NFB films, including an Academy Award for Le Château de sable / The Sand Castle. He is recognized worldwide as a master of stop-motion animated films which have garnered more than 80 awards and mentions at film festivals around the world.

Nine years ago, Co stopped making films to concentrate on regaining his health. We are profoundly grateful to the doctors and medical staff for their excellent care. In particular, to Dr. Chaim Shustik, Dr. Michael Greenberg, and Dr. E. Winter for their ongoing support and compassion, and to the dedicated caregivers, social workers, and therapists without whom home care would not have been possible. Donations may be made in Co’s memory to the McGill University Health Centre Foundation / Fondation du Centre universitaire de Santé McGill.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11 a.m. at the Church of the Ascension of Our Lord, Sherbrooke Street West and Kitchener Avenue, Westmount.

Collins Clarke MacGillivray White will webcast the funeral ceremony of Jacobus Willem Hoedeman on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 10:50 AM EDT to 12:30 PM EDT.

You can view the ceremony live or on replay at https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/111588

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trees of Remembrance to plant a tree in Co Hoedeman 's memory.

https://treesofremembrance.com/

https://muhc.ca/donate-now

https://cusm.ca/donnez-maintenant