Cornelis "Cor" Pronk

Cornelis Pronk

Cor was born January 16, 1938 in the fishing town of Scheveningen, The Netherlands where he grew up at the harbor and the beach. When he was fifteen years old he – just like most of his friends – went to sea aboard a fishing ship, fishing for herring in the North Sea.

During the winter months he took courses in ‘navigation at sea’, after which he joined the Merchant Marine, first as a sailor and later as first mate on small cargo ships. He sailed most of the European waters, the Mediterranean as well as the north and west coast of Africa. After ten years as a sailor – during which time he also served in the Dutch Royal Navy – he married his lovely wife Alice on August 13, 1964.

Together they raised their wonderful children: Case (Wilma), Clarinda (Rick), Marty (Mieke) and Marlene (Dan). For several years Cor worked at a bank and finished his high school. In February, 1978, the family moved to Canada where Cor became a self-employed painter until his retirement at 68.

He was predeceased by his infant brother; Pieter, his sister; Sjaan, and his parents; Helena and Cornelis. Cor loved his family very much, especially his grandchildren and great grand children.

So remain “Faith, Hope and Love” but the greatest of these is love.

A celebration of Cor’s life will be held at Sardis Fellowship Baptist Church, 45187 Wells Rd, Chilliwack, BC on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 1 pm.