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JOHN VAN LOON
Born: Apr 11, 1931
Date of Passing: May 12, 2020
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JOHN VAN LOON
John was born and raised in Tilberg, Netherlands, on April 11, 1931, and later immigrated to Canada at the age of 23, in 1954, to pursue an education at the University of Montreal, in the study of Agriculture, where he received his Masters Degree in 1961.
John met the love of his life, Antonia (Cathy) VanCrasbeek, in 1958 while visiting Frank VanCrasbeek, her brother in Deventer, Netherlands. They fell in love while corresponding with each other across the ocean. Cathy immigrated to Canada in 1961. Following the completion of John's university education, he married Cathy and moved to Lethbridge, Alberta, then Vancouver, British Columbia, to follow his career path with the Canadian Plant Quarantine.
John was never content staying in one place for too long and his career moved him and his family of five children, from the shipping yards of Vancouver, British Columbia, to Thunder Bay, Ontario, and finally settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba, to where he and his family reside today.
John always had a big smile on his face. He loved his grandkids and kids alike. Some of John's many passions in his life include learning different languages (six in total), amateur ham radio operator, music (he played guitar, mandolin, violin and harmonica), travel (if Air Miles existed in his day, he would have been able to circumnavigate the world three times over on them alone), gardening, nature (always looking around the corner for wildlife), kayaking, reading, origami, tai chi, afternoon naps, sharing his vast knowledge and mad computer skills.
John's memory will be cherished by his loving wife of 58 years, Antonia (Cathy) Van Loon, daughter Maggie Van Loon, son Pete Van Loon, son Russ Van Loon (Jeannine), daughter Carolyn Fialski (Dennis) and Tim Van Loon (Krista), along with his grandchildren, Jessica, Amanda and Kurtis (Russ Van Loon), Sydney and Shelby (Carolyn Fialski).
There will be no memorial services at this time, in light of the current COVID-19 Pandemic situation.
The family would like to send a special thank you to the staff at the Seine River Retirement Residence at 1015 St. Anne's Road, Winnipeg, for their support and care during John's final days.
If friends so desire, donations may be made in John's memory to Parkinson Canada (www.parkinson.ca) or Resource Assistance For Youth (RAY), Winnipeg (www.rayinc.ca).
For those who wish to sign the online
Guest Book please visit www.chapellawn.ca
Chapel Lawn Funeral Home
204-885-9715
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 16, 2020
Condolences & Memories (2 entries)
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Yesterday we lost an amazing soul. My Opa was the most unique and intelligent man I’ve ever known. Words can never express how hard it has been to loose him during this awful time for my family, but we know he is at peace now, and that is comforting. My Opa loved his family more than anything else in the world. We are so lucky to have had so many amazing memories with him growing up. I’ll always remember his love for music, he could pick up any instrument and play it, his favourite was the mandolin. When I close my eyes and picture my Opa, the image I get is him sitting in his office in the Gimli house, always reading and learning on the computer or playing his mandolin. Like you said Opa, I will tell you all about my life when I see you again one day, wherever we all end up ❤️ We will all love you forever, thank you for having a big hand in the person I am today, the apple didn’t fall far. - Posted by: Amanda Woznesensky (Granddaughter) on: Jun 15, 2020
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We are sorry for the loss to this entire family. John was a very good friend and neighbour to us, as was Cathy, during the nine years we lived next door in Paradise Village. We most enjoyed our discussions on many topics John was interested in, like science, history, world affairs and many others. He had an enormously positive impact on his family and the community. He will be missed. - Posted by: James & Marge Kostelniuk (Friends & neighbours from Paradise Village) on: May 19, 2020
