Jurrien Camman

I have heard from Erin, and more recently Auntie Norma, that you are in hospital. I am so sorry to hear that and have been thinking about you in my life. You are my Uncle Jurrien. You hold a very important place in my heart and I am grateful for your involvement in my life.

I remember being so happy for you to marry Auntie Norma and become part of our family. The other day, I remembered the song we Elder kids sang at your wedding - “I Wish You A Rainbow” and I remember that you wore stephanotis flower in your lapel. We were so happy to have the honour of helping to celebrate this very important day.

I loved to hear you talk because you had that hint of an accent which seemed so worldly to me. I knew something of Holland/ The Netherlands and when I got older, referred to you as my Dutch Uncle, knowing that was someone I could count on for support or help whenever I needed it.

I thank you for being so hospitable and gracious with your home and family when I came to stay with you in Edmonton during my summer employment. You were not home very often, always with your congregation and attending to your responsibilities as a fine pastor. I really liked going to your services and was so proud of you as my uncle, Reverend Camman, at that time and in Windsor later on.

You always knew someone who had things that were needed. You had a friend who could rent furniture when I roomed with a girlfriend in Edmonton one summer. And when she suddenly left one day when I was at work, you just called your friend who came and got the furniture. I never lifted a finger or paid a dime! And, to top it all off, you and Auntie Norma let me come back and stay at your house so I did not have to pay the rent by myself.

You always dressed so well and had a friend from whom you bought your suits. You always gave him credit for that as if you had no say in the matter. I have a feeling that you knew many people who you could rely on for the essentials of your life but that was because they knew they had a steadfast friend and support in you. All deals were reciprocal. I know how hard you worked for “your people” and how you openly appreciated their contribution to your life.

I remember your homes in Edmonton and Windsor. You supported Auntie Norma in being the homemaker and expressed gratitude for her work so that you could do yours. It was clear that your kids were your pride and joy and I loved that, no matter how hectic the schedule, meal time was family time. Of course, I had grown up that way on the farm but I enjoyed the stimulating conversation and topics around your table. I stayed with you the summer of “Watergate” and if that were not a subject, there was news of the community. You were so professional and seemed to try to keep your work with your parishioners confidential.

I remember that you liked golf and had games on some days off which were, oddly to me, during the week for obvious reasons now.

I remember you often had a sore back but persevered as if everything was okay.

I love your sense of humour. You have such an interesting, philosophical way of looking as things and can tell such great stories. There was always so much laughter when you were around.

I thank you for writing and sending your memories of your life as a child in Holland during the War. I remember you expressing that that experience was one which made you grateful for the blessings of your life later on. Your journey to Canada and your move to become a Canadian citizen always impressed me as such a wonderful way to illustrate your appreciation.

You were always so kind and generous to remember us here when you visited your family in Holland and I remember one of the summers when you went to Holland by yourself and upon your return, handed me one of those beautiful blue and white tiles. I love and cherish that particular tile and it is framed and hanging on my living room wall.

You gave an eloquent memorial service for Grandma Lois when she passed. As I was stumbling to deliver the eulogy, I looked over and you being there beside me was all I needed to complete the job as I should have for those who had asked me in honour of a pretty cool, unique lady.

I want to thank you for calling Dad (Ken) on the phone since Mom (Mina) has gone to the nursing home. He appreciated that so much but not more than I did. You are so good at providing the support and help that others need in times of struggle. You always have done that with such grace and thoughtfulness.

Uncle Jurrien – I don’t recall you much without a smile on your face and a positive outlook. You are an inspiration, dependable and diplomatic. Someone wrote,” You are already of consequence in the world if you are known as a man of strict integrity. If you can be absolutely relied upon; if you say you will do a thing, you do it then you carry with you a passport to universal esteem.” You are certainly esteemed among those who can call you friend, brother and uncle.

You should be proud of your life of consequence and importance. You made a place for yourself in this world which you enjoyed widely through your travels. At home or abroad you are comfortable, but more than that, you have made others around you feel important. You are a great conversationalist and you show interest in others and their enterprise.

I am thinking of you today and often and know that you have made peace with your God and his plan for you.

With all my love,

Iona .......

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Reverend Jurrien Camman passed away peacefully at Metropolitan Hospital on Friday, April 13, 2012. He was born in The Hague, Netherlands on May 20, 1934. Jurrien emigrated to Canada in 1955 where he decided to attend the University of Winnipeg. He graduated with a B.A. and a Masters in Theology in 1963. Jurrien cam to Riverside United Church in November of 1974 and served there for over 24 successful years. After his retirement in 1999, Rev. Camman became the first Chaplin for the Hospice of Windsor and was also named Chancellor of Iona College. Jurrien is survived by his daughter Erin, (Sean Holt), his son Drew, (Shannon Bergonti) and 4 Camman grandsons, Peyton, Nicholas, Gavin and Brennan, and two Holt granddaughters, Reese and Emmerson. He was previously married to Norma. He is survived by one sister and one sister-in-law and many nieces and nephews. Many thanks go out to the caring staff at Malden Park, through your love and kindness you have made this journey easier. Visitation will be held at the Walter D. Kelly Funeral Home (1969 Wyandotte St. E, Windsor 519-252-5711) on Sunday, April 15, 2012 from 4-8pm with the service to follow at Riverside United Church (881 Glidden Avenue, Windsor) on Monday, April 15, 2012 at 11am. Reverend Ann Rowsell officiating. If desired, donations can be made to the Riverside United Church or the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County.