Gerard Vermeer “Gjet - Joe” passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on December 27, 2011 in Chilliwack, at age 91 years. He was born to Johannes and Mensina Vermeer on September 9, 1920 in Opheusden, The Netherlands; the 9th of 12 children. He met his life-long sweetheart, Johanna Den Uyl, at the end of WW2 in The Netherlands when he was with the Military Police of the Dutch Army. Gerard and Johanna married March 5, 1947 and enjoyed 58 years together. The first 4 of their 5 children were born in Opheusden. They immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1955 and settled in Chilliwack BC. Their fifth child was born here. Dad worked in a variety of vocations, ending as custodian at Timothy Christian School. He attended Bethel Reformed Church. He loved to garden, play checkers and visit with family and friends (Dad and Mom had lots of friends). He was well known for his friendliness and great sense of humour. Dad had a steadfast simple faith in Jesus Christ that he lived out with kindness, gentleness and life-long commitment to his wife, kids and many friends.
Dad will be sadly missed by his 3 daughters and 1 son and their spouses: Marretje (Bernard) Saunders of Okotoks AB & St John’s NF, Sheila (Sim) Koopmans of Red Deer AB, Jane (Harold) Shannon of Vernon BC, and John (Anita) Vermeer of Chilliwack BC, and by his much-loved 12 grandchildren and 23 precious great grandchildren living across Canada from Armstrong, Chilliwack and Vancouver BC, Edmonton, Innisfail, Okotoks and Red Deer AB, all the way to St John’s NF. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Johanna, in 2005, and by his oldest son, Ron, in 1987.
A special thank you is extended to Sandrina Kooyman for her kindness and care while Dad lived at Sunset Manor, as well as to all the staff at Heritage Village for their wonderful care of Dad the last few years.
A viewing will be held from 7-9 pm Thursday, January 5 at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home, 45865 Hocking Ave, Chilliwack. All are invited to attend the funeral at 1:30 pm Friday, January 6 at Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church, 9800 McNaught Rd, Chilliwack; Pastor Shawn Vandop officiating.
Online condolences can be left at www.Woodlawn-MtCheam.ca