He grew up in the Jan van Avennestraat area of Rotterdam. The family immigrated to Canada in 1960 for a brighter future. It was difficult for the family as new emigrants causing a lot of rift in the family. Fred attended George Jay Elementary and Victoria High School. At school, he was called “Freddy the Dreamer by teachers after the then popular group “Freddy & the Dreamers,” daydreaming being an outlet for Fred to handle his difficult family situation. At 18, Fred lived a “hippie” lifestyle for a while apart from family and society staying in log cabins near the coast surviving off the land and the sea. When Fred was about 20, he decided to return to the Netherlands as he still had his Dutch nationality. He found work sorting mail at night. Later, he also delivered magazines.
In 1986, Fred returned to Canada and took the Long-Term Care Aid Course through Camosun College, which suited Fred perfectly as his personality was that of a caregiver - very kind, gentle, nurturing and compassionate. It was at this time, he met Lisa Veefkind, whom he married in May 2000. They later divorced but remained very close friends until the end of Fred’s life. Fred worked at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for 18 years as a care aid. He was also the caregiver for his father and mother at the end of their lives.
Fred felt conflicted about where he wanted to live and about where he felt most at home feeling pulled between Canada and the Netherlands.. He loved the beauty of the nature of Canada but loved the lifestyle of the Netherlands.
Fred was compassionate, astute, gentle, and sweet. He was a voracious reader. He had an analytical mind and an original view of politics and society. He had an enormous sense of humor and often had something humorous to add to any conversation. He was very sensitive and he had susceptibility to addiction but managed this as best he could. Fred was also very creative taking drawing and painting lessons, painting for a lot of his life. Fred was so passionate about art he told me a story of being a nude model so he could pay for his art lessons. He also loved music, especially enjoying his juke box. Fred also loved the Montreal Canadiens and the Victoria Shamrocks (Go Rocks Go).
Fred has found his peace now, and the the battle no longer needs to be fought. Fred leaves behind many supportive friends including Lisa Veefkind, Eric Visser (Rotterdam), Mike Kelly, Karen Ekroos, as many other friends in Holland. A very special thank you to Fred’s long-term physician. Dr. S. Humphreys and the staff of RJH ICU.
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