January 30, 1969 - September 18, 2019
Jacob Bestebroer passed away peacefully on September 18 surrounded by his family at the Abbotsford Hospital at age 50 after a long battle with cancer.
Jacob was born on January 30, 1969 in Chilliwack, the youngest child and only son to Anton and Hendrika Bestebroer. Jacob spent his elementary years in Chilliwack Christian School and his high school years at Abbotsford Christian School, graduating in 1986. He attended Trinity Western University for a year before joining Milk Maid in Chilliwack, eventually becoming production manager with input in every area of the business.
When the Chilliwack Chiefs began in 1990, Jacob became one of their most loyal volunteers. As well as billeting hockey players, he proved to have an uncanny knack for stats which he could pull from memory at a moment's notice. He did radio shows, scouted for the team, and filled in all other capacities wherever needed. Jacob and Pat could always be seen in the old barn, Section A, seats 29 and 30. It was during one game when the regular colour commentary person did not show and Jacob was asked to fill in that he found his true gifting. The press box became his new seat at the games.
In 2005 Jacob left Sealtest and spent a year in the Chilliwack Archives researching Chilliwack hockey. When the Chiefs moved to Langley and the WHL Bruins came to town in 2006, Jacob's passion then became a career when he joined the team in a professional capacity.
When Jacob wasn't doing something for the team, he was busy with his hobby of collecting hockey cards and running a small home-based
business CHWK Collectibles. At one point, Jacob had the second largest collection of Junior hockey card listings in North America.
Everything Jacob was done with great organizational skills, a touch of perfectionism and a whole lot of pride.
While Jacob is well known in the community for his passion for hockey, his greatest achievement in life was the long-awaited arrival of his two daughters. His family meant everything to him and when he took his last breath, it was with Pat, Abby and Sophie at his side.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Patricia, his two daughters, Sophie and Abbigail, his father, Anton, his sisters Margaret (Wally) Tenbrinke, Jane (Case) Langbroek, Rita (Bert) Tenbrinke, Gerty (Ian) Shipmaker and many nephews and nieces. He was predeceased by his mother in 2009.
Special thank you to our Dr. Paul Basson and his office for taking such good care of Jacob over the last three years.
We wish to express tremendous gratitude to the entire team at Abbotsford Palliative Complex Care Unit and Dr. S. Mitchinson & Dr. S Duncan.