Hendrik Boer

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, Opa, and grandfather Henk in his 99th year.

Henk was born in Driebergen, the Netherlands, the eldest of five children to Teuntje and Jan Boer.

He is survived by his loving children Maryke (Tak), Yoka (Bill), Jan (Meike), and Eric (Catherine), grandchildren Heather, Chris, Kameko, Thomas and great grandchildren Danica, Taylor, and Kano, as well as many nieces and nephews in Holland.

He was predeceased by his cherished wife Ida Elizabeth in 1995, his beloved granddaughter Leanne, his sisters Elly Boer and Ali de Graaf-Boer and brothers Niek Boer and Jan Boer in Holland.

Henk immigrated to Canada with his young family in 1957 and started a new life in Vancouver.

When you drive across British Columbia, you will likely depend upon his expertise as a structural engineer for more than twenty crossings, including the original Port Mann Bridge, and the Knight Street, Alex Fraser and Mission bridges.

As a fifty-seven-year resident of Tsawwassen, Henk was a weekly driver for Meals on Wheels for twenty-five of those years. He was a lifeline to the many seniors on his route and sometimes continued to support them when they moved into long term care.

Weekends and holidays would find Henk on family road trips exploring the great B.C. outdoors - camping and hiking, skiing and snowshoeing. He would go solo into the mountains even into his nineties when his contemporaries could no longer keep up with him. Summers would find him joining his daughter and son-in-law sailing and kayaking from the San Juan Islands to the Gulf Islands and north to Desolation Sound.

What Henk enjoyed most was to be surrounded by family and friends, enjoying laughter and conviviality, as well as a nice salmon filet and a glass of Blouberg! Perhaps his favourite company of all was that of his grandchildren, sitting on his lap in his favourite armchair.

Henk was always amiable, positive and forever grateful. He exuded the warmth and generosity of spirit of a man secure in his Christian faith.

There will be a family memorial gathering at the Boundary Bay Cemetery in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the charity of your choice in his name.

Dearly missed and fondly remembered.