Reijer "Roger" Hulstein

Reijer “Roger” Hulstein, age 90. It is with deep sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Roger - beloved husband, father, Opa, and Great-Opa - on April 25, 2025, at the Sheldrake Lodge in Hubley, Nova Scotia after a long decline with dementia. Roger was born on March 10, 1935, in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, to Annie Klapwijk-Hulstein and Johan Hulstein.

Roger was a devoted husband to Elisabeth (Elly) Geertruida Louise Hulstein (née van der Linden) for 67 years. Elly predeceased him on April 23, 2024. He is lovingly remembered by his three children and their partners: Roger (Nicole), Kim (Peter), and Lars (Mary); seven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Jacob (Jim) and half-brothers Anno (Glenn), Johan (John), and Eric.

His early years were difficult. His mother died during childbirth in 1940, which left a lasting impact on Roger, as did growing up during the war years and the post-war austerity. He was brought up in a strong Dutch Reformed household, but left the church in later life. His father, Johan Willem (John) Hulstein, married Elizabeth E. Kloosterman in 1943, a very kind and gentle lady.

In 1953, he graduated from Hogere Burgerschool (HBS) in Apeldoorn, qualifying for university admission in Canada. In April 1954, Roger and his father led the family’s emigration to Canada, landing at Pier 21 in Halifax and before settling in Lunenburg, NS. Here the manufacturing company his father worked for in the Netherlands had a warehouse of fishing nets that had to be liquidated. This would take several years. The rest of the family soon followed, with his younger brothers attending the Lunenburg Academy.

In 1955, Roger moved to Vancouver, BC, where he soon began articling with a firm of chartered accountants. Over the next five years, he worked and studied diligently, earning his CA designation in 1961. It was during this time that he met Elly at a gathering of Dutch “new Canadians.” They married and welcomed their first child, Roger Jr., in 1957, followed by Kim in 1960 and Lars in 1964. Roger practiced his profession until his retirement in 1992 at the age of 57.

In 1963, Roger and his young family returned to Nova Scotia, first to Halifax, where he worked for Price Waterhouse, and then, in 1966, to Port Hastings in Cape Breton, where he was employed by Stora Forest Industries Limited. These years with a growing family were some of the best. Life revolved around work, kids in school, volunteer positions with the school board, cutting wood, maintaining the old house, gardening, beach and canoe trips, and, of course, snow shovelling, all skills that the children absorbed. They proudly became Canadian citizens in 1975.

While enjoying life on Cape Breton, they also made time for travel - frequent family car-camping vacations (with a canoe) along the east coast of North America, plus memorable trips to the Netherlands, Vancouver, and Mexico.

In 1982, with their children grown, Roger accepted a post with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Nepal, indulging their desire to travel and experience more of the world. This was a memorable stint that lasted until 1986 and saw them living and working in Kathmandu and the more remote areas of western Nepal, including Surkhet and Jumla. They welcomed many visitors who came for lengthy visits and tours of the country. It was an eye-opener for all concerned, as one visiting family member remarked. They made many new friends with whom they kept in touch for many years.

After Nepal and a brief time in Nova Scotia, Roger continued consulting abroad, working on projects in Indonesia, and lastly in Tanzania. This led to many adventures: from boating into the heart of Borneo, enjoying a drink at the Raffles Long Bar in Singapore, to being charged by an elephant while on safari in Africa.

Following his retirement in 1994, Roger and Elly settled in Bayswater, NS, where they made their home for the next 25 years. From their seaside home, they continued to explore the world - visiting faraway family and creating lasting memories by taking each grandchild on a special trip upon turning 14. They also developed a passion for ocean cruising, journeying together through the Caribbean, south to Cape Horn, and across the Pacific.

Per his wishes, cremation has taken place; there will be no service. The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Reza Mehrpooya, Kathy Thomson and the staff at Sheldrake Lodge, and Dr. Holly Zwicker for their exceptional care and support over the last few years.