Peter Bastiaan VanderKam On January 14, 2014, in Bethammi nursing home, Peter passed away quietly. Peter rarely did anything quietly, and his energy made the world a better place. His wife Mary predeceased him on January 14, 2010, four years to the day before Peter. Thank you to everyone from Bethammi for the wonderful care afforded Peter. Born Bastiaan (Bas) van der Kam on February 8, 1929 in Surabaya, Java, in what was then the Dutch East Indies, Peter's father was a Dutch national working for the colonial government. His mother died when he was 10 and he was interned in a prison camp with his step mother during the Japanese occupation in WWII. After the war, his family was repatriated to Holland where he completed his education. He worked for a short time as a marine engineer in the Dutch West Indies where he met Mary Adriana Isings. They married in 1954 and immigrated to Canada in 1956. Peter was in the Dutch army from 1954 to 1956 where he attained the rank of Captain in the tank division. Peter and his growing family lived in Montreal, Elliot Lake, Thunder Bay (then Fort William), and finally settled in Terrace Bay where Peter worked as a stationary engineer until he retired in 1985. He and Mary lived out their retirement in Thunder Bay. Peter contributed immensely to the fibre of his community. He was a family man above all, and spent many days sailing, fishing, and skiing around Terrace Bay and Schreiber, while organizing and volunteering for activities that supported his community. While working at the pulp mill, he became president of his local millworker's union. Music was another joy for him - he gave music lessons and belonged to the church choir. After his retirement, Peter attended Lakehead U. where he received his B.A. in Philosophy and Religion. His teachers and fellow students must have wondered what this white-haired dynamo would do next. Much of this time of Peter's life became entwined with the United Church, as he worked hard to bring about changes that would see it remain relevant and relatable to his friends and neighbours. He also wrote a guest column on religion and culture for the Thunder Bay newspaper in the 1990s, always with the strong faith that human nature was not incongruent with peace if discussion and education could take place. During this time, Mary began a long battle with Parkinson's disease, and Peter was at her side for the 10 long and difficult years of this struggle. He was at her side every day after she moved to a nursing home, and became involved in her care as well as the care of others with his strong involvement in the family council. Peter did not seek recognition for himself in positions and rewards from his work. He was happiest at home with family and friends, but where there was a need, he stepped forward. He made countless contributions to his local communities, including a Parkinson's support group and council for people with family in nursing homes and palliative care. Peter also started a philosophical book study group which has been meeting for over a decade. Peter and Mary began a bursary to support students studying religion and philosophy in 2004 which continues today. Peter is survived by his brother George (Aly) Vanderkam, sister Tineke Chilvers, stepbrother Bob van Mierop, stepsister Meike Beek, his 4 children Alex (Linda), Robert (Anna), Carolyn Henry and Mark (Rebecca), 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Mary, sister Ann Beerhorst and stepsister Emmie van Mierop. His life and spirit will carry on in family and friends. The Celebration of Life will take place at Westminster United Church, 650 River Street, Thunder Bay at 3 p.m. on Saturday February 8/14, the day he would have turned 85. A reception will follow at Oliver Road Community Center at 563 Oliver Rd Thunder Bay from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Donations, in his memory, can be made to the Parkinson's Society or the Heart and Stroke Organization. "
Source citation: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chroniclejournal/obituary.aspx?n=peter-vanderkam&pid=174241537
Hij is getrouwd met Marie Adriana Isings.
Zij zijn getrouwd in het jaar 1954, hij was toen 24 jaar oud.Bron 3