After a brief illness, Rein passed away peacefully at The Elliott Community on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at the age of 96 years. Beloved husband for over 72 years of Grietje Bakker (nee Bruinsma). Loving father of Lucy Hengeveld (Bernard), Janey Davis (Robert), Willi van der Woude (Ron Wrigley), Mary Ann Bakker (George VanderGaast, Alice Kuiper (Mark) and Sid Bakker (Brigitte Mausser). He was predeceased by an infant son, Sipke and by a son-in-law, Wim van der Woude.
Dear Pake to his grandchildren and great grandchildren: Ryan and Susan Hengeveld (Matthew, Ben, Erin, Andrew), Diana and Brad Cooke, Martin Hengeveld and Anne Hinds, Michael and Lidia Davis (Anthony, Joshua), Jennifer and David Laskowski (Nathan, Connor), Kirt and Martina van der Woude (Arya), Rebecca van der Woude-Hupkes and Anthony Hupkes (Jade, Domanic), Sarah and Nathan Gordon (Gabriel, Malia, Mackenzie, Taya), Karina Kuiper, ShariAnn Kuiper, Carolyn and Ben Bouwsema (Alyssa) and Zachary and Jessica Kuiper, Amy Mausser, Ryan Mausser, Christy Mausser and Tino Milak (Inna).
Rein Bakker was raised in Gaast, Fryslan where he developed a love of skating, music, gardening, and enjoying God’s nature. As a young man he met the love of his life, Grietje Bruinsma and although their relationship flowered, the events of World War II and Rein’s involvement with the Resistance delayed their marriage until 1946. While residing in the Netherlands they were blessed with 2 children and prior to their immigration to Canada they suffered the death of their first son.
They arrived in Canada in 1949 and were later blessed with 5 more children. Rein passed his love of skating along to his children and spent endless hours building backyard skating rinks. He instilled in his children the importance of Christian community, an appreciation of the balance of hard work and enjoying family time. As a man of faith, he shared his love of the Lord and music with singing around the family organ.
Rein was devoted to his wife, Grietje, as was evidenced by his faithfulness and dedication through 72 years of marriage. His family was the most important thing in his life and by his life example he has left a legacy of faithfulness, commitment, self-sacrifice, and perseverance…. a wonderful example to his children and grandchildren.
The staff at The Elliott will always have our family’s gratitude for the compassionate care they extended to Rein while he resided there.
Friends may call at the GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi Street, Guelph on Saturday, August 4, 2018 from 1 – 2 p.m. for a Memorial visitation. Memorial Service in the funeral home chapel at 2:00 p.m. Reception following service. A private family service will take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park earlier. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Guelph Community Christian School or to the Elliott Community.