Born in Krimpen aan de Lek, The Netherlands, on April 19, 1925, Jan was captured in the Second World War, escaped, and was part of the Dutch Resistance in 1944. After the war he entered the Royal Dutch Naval College as a cadet and rose through the ranks, commanding two destroyers during the Korean War and finishing his career as Rear Admiral.
A kind, gracious and honourable man, loved by all, he was justifiably proud to receive Knightships in the Order of Orange Nassau and Netherlands Lion presented to him by the Queen of the Netherlands.
After retirement in 1979, Jan and his wife Lies moved to Canada, to Nanoose Bay. After Lies' early death, he and his second wife moved to Shirley (formerly Sooke) for 13 good years and then back to Nanoose Bay in 2013.
He will be sorely missed by his wife of 17 years, Marcie Gauntlett, Daughter Janine van de Linde (Edwin), son Erik van de Linde (Willemijn), grandchildren Astrid Wenstrom of Sweden, Nienke Rakhorst, Margo van de Linde and Koen van de Linde (Jill) of Holland, three beautiful great-grandchildren and many friends here in Nanoose Bay, Qualicum Beach, Sooke, and Shirley.
No funeral service as requested.
Jan's ashes will be interred at the Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens with his first wife Lies. No flowers by request; if you wish to give something in his memory, a donation to the SPCA would be appreciated.