November 29, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Corrie deKluyver on November 29, 2024. He was a good man with a kind soul, an enthusiastic smile and an impish sense of humour.
He was devoted to his wife and two children, doing his best to create moments of joy together. Corrie was a proud dad who took his son and daughter to soccer fields, hockey rinks, ski slopes, campgrounds and remote, wilderness trails. Along the way, he taught them about honesty and kindness.
Corrie was a passionate adventurer. He travelled with his family and friends throughout Europe, and across North America as well as to southern countries to snorkel. His adventurous spirit was legendary among all who travelled with him. With boundless energy, he wanted to go down every road to see every sight, often arriving at his hotel very late.
Everywhere he went, Corrie was moved by the wonder of the natural world - from the smallest leaf to the tallest mountain peaks. He used his camera to capture and commemorate what he saw. His love of nature was reflected in the gardens that flourished under his care.
Born in 1940 in the Netherlands, during the war, his family was loyal and close-knit. In 1952, when Corrie was 12, he and his parents and five siblings emigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
As a teen in a new country, he became a caddy on the local golf course, sparking a life-long love of the game. He also grew to love tennis, skiing, soccer and football.
As a young man, Corrie decided to pursue a professional life, becoming a Chartered Accountant in Calgary. He was hired by IBM in Calgary and then was transferred to Toronto. Corrie became an entrepreneur whose can-do attitude helped run various enterprises in Belleville and Toronto, Ont.
For most of his time in Toronto, Corrie volunteered for the board of the Riverdale Hospital.
When he was in his mid-50s, he and Shauna became pepper farmers in Qualicum Beach, BC. After he enrolled in the horticultural program at Malaspina College, he met Jim Cadwaladr, who was bringing Milner Gardens & Woodland to life.
As an enthusiastic gardener, Corrie quickly embraced Milner - and so began a fulfilling volunteer involvement that would last more than 20 years. Corrie was proud to be on the original board and became the first Treasurer of the Milner Gardens & Woodland Society.
These two decades were very satisfying, surrounded by a community of people who cherished ancient Douglas firs and rhododendrons. Even to the last, he was inspired every time he visited Milner.
Corrie was loved dearly and will be missed by his wife of 59 years, Shauna; his daughter, Cynthia (and Gordon); his son, Chris (and Trish); his grandsons, Owen, Tim and Joshua. He was well loved by his parents, Jan and Elsje; his brother John (and Sue); his brother Maarten (and Anita); his sister Ria (and Hans); his sister Wies (and Bill); his sister Pat (and John); his brother-in-law Stuart (and Marianne); his many nieces and nephews; and his dear, long-time friends. The family appreciates the enormous support from family and friends, especially in the last year.
The family also appreciates the compassionate care that Corrie received from the nurses and care aides at Stanford Seniors Village in Parksville.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.