On a beautiful spring morning full of the promise of new life, our dearly loved husband, father, and grandfather, left this life to begin a new life with his Creator and Saviour.
John will be deeply missed by his wife Grace of almost 60 years and his 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren: Deb and Mike Hampson and their children Hailey and Melanie; Teresa and Willy Katerberg and their children Devin, Rhianne & Ben, and Carlin & Nick; Sandra and Brad Kelly and their son Jassin, and Tricia De Jong.
John was born to immigrant parents in the Holland Marsh in 1936 where he lived and worked with his family on the farm growing vegetables. His parents were part of the original Dutch settlement that diked the land and developed the Marsh for farming. As a young man with a keen sense of mischief and an avid curiosity for how things worked, particularly radio, he left the family farm at 19 to pursue a career. Valuing education, he was the first in his family to go to post-secondary education, enrolling in college to study radio and broadcasting. His first job was at the Barrie CKVR TV station and the beginning of a long career in TV Broadcasting. He worked for many years at Maclean-Hunter Cable TV and finished his career as Vice-President and General Manager of Halton Cable. In 1985, he was inducted into the Canadian Cable Television Pioneers Club.
While working in Barrie, he met and married his wife Grace Boeyenga in 1961 and they enjoyed time with friends travelling and camping while exploring Ontario and surroundings. In 1963, their first born daughter Debra arrived with 2 more daughters following closely behind and then almost 7 years later their 4th daughter arrived.
John and Grace were devoted to their family, and were very involved with their church, First Christian Reformed Church and later New Life Christian Reformed Church, both in Guelph. John took on leadership roles, such as elder, and used his skills in broadcasting to lead the audio needs of both congregations. He also spent many years, leading worship services for the elderly at the Elliot and St. Joseph’s chapel.
After retirement John and Grace enjoyed many years of travelling and discovering new places and cultures in the Caribbean and later cruising the Mediterranean, South America, and the South Pacific. His other passion after retirement was his grandchildren. He was a much-loved grandpa to 6 grandchildren and a special friend to Baileys and Casey, his 4 legged grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, telling stories of the mischief he got into as a child. He was very proud of each one of them and loved them deeply. He continued his passion for building and tinkering, creating many tables, clocks, shelves, and fixing anything and everything that his children and grandchildren brought him. He loved a challenge and never gave up on any repair project.
Thank you to the Palliative Care Team and nurse Katrina, who made it possible for John to stay at home as was his wish. Thank you to John and Grace’s church family and friends whose love and care during these past weeks have been a comfort.
Due to public health concerns, there will be no visitation. A private family service will be held on Saturday March 27, 2021. Arrangements entrusted to the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL 519-822-0051.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to New Life CRC Clothing Closet (where John and Grace were volunteers) or Resonate Global Mission would be appreciated.
New Life CRC Clothing Closet https://www.newlifecrc.net/in-the-community
Resonate Global Mission. https://www.resonateglobalmission.org/EasterGift
A tree will be planted in memory of John H. De Jong in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest.