MAY 27, 1978 - January 25, 2020
On Saturday January 25, 2020 Geoff slipped quietly away while surrounded by his loving family and friends. Geoff leaves behind the love of his life, his wife Julie Van Duzen and his two beautiful boys Henry (4) and Edward (6 months).
Geoff was always cheerful and willing to help anyone. He loved playing the drums, musical theatre, Star Wars, sound and lighting design and spending time with his family. He had a great laugh and a wonderful sense of humour and will be missed by everyone who was blessed to know him.
Geoff met Julie when they worked together on the show “Man of La Mancha” which was the first of many shows they would collaborate on. They were devastated when Geoff was diagnosed with his cancer six months before their wedding but he fought hard to slay the dragon and win the heart of his princess. They lived happily for almost 5 years and were given the gift of their son Henry. This spring they were dealt another blow as Geoff’s cancer returned and he fought hard again to be here for the birth of their child Eddie. Geoff was incredibly grateful for the love and support of friends and family who have surrounded him and his family with love since his diagnosis, through meals, babysitting, visits, donations and kindness.
Geoff also leaves behind his loving family Ron and Betsy Nantes, Val Nantes, his brother Jeremy Nantes and his wife Sondra, step-siblings Scott (Julie Anne) and Sara Shelley and nephew Ryan, his brother-in-law Tim Van Duzen and his wife Donetta, his nieces and nephews Parker, James, Ryan and Keira, his father-in-law Jim Van Duzen, his Aunts, Uncles and many cousins and many incredible friends. He is predeceased by his mother-in-law Carol Van Duzen and his cat Galileo who left this earth in January to be ready to greet him in Heaven. Thank you to the oncology team at Juravinski Hospital, the folks at Calvary Baptist Church, the Theatre Communities in Guelph, Brampton and Mississauga, Dr. Peter Spadafora and the wonderful team of nurses and staff at Guelph-Wellington Hospice.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 31st from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph.
Geoff’s Funeral will be held on Saturday February 1st at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church at 454 Arkell Road in Guelph.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a Trust Fund for Geoff’s sons Henry and Eddie can be e-transferred to: [email protected] or dropped off at Wall-Custance Funeral Home.
“When you tell my story,
And I hope somebody does,
Remember me as something bigger than I was”
A tree will be planted in memory of Geoffrey V. Nantes in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 20, 2020 at 2:30 pm.