Obituary for William "Bill" Verkaik
VERKAIK, William “Bill”
After succumbing to illness on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 86 years of age, he leaves his loving wife, Joan (Bedard), of 65 years marriage (January 19, 1957). Father of Dan & his wife, Laura, and William Jr. & his wife, Hong. Opa of Ricky Narr, Lyndsay and her husband, Nathan Benjamin, great-granddaughter, Avery Benjamin. Opa of Curtis & Kyle Verkaik, Brian (Heng) Li and his wife, Courtney, and great-grandson, Ethan Li.
Born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, Bill immigrated at the age of 16 to Canada with his mother Sofia, father, Gerard, sister, Viki, and 3 older brothers; Peter, Gerard and Frank. As the youngest of his family, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Bill met Joan, his love of 65 years, while living in Sudbury, Ontario. He paid his way through school to become a Land Surveyor by teaching part time as a piano instructor. By taking residence in Burlington, Bill started his own business Verka Management to successfully design, develop and build well over 50 Retirement and Nursing homes throughout Ontario.
Bill lived a rich and full life of love and admiration. He has touched us all with his kindness. As an avid pianist, Bill's favorite composer was Beethoven whose music he would play to entertain us. As a last request to remember him for, Bill would have played Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata'. If you listen, you will hear his final voice.
In honouring Bill’s wishes a private family funeral service has taken place. Memorial donations to the Cancer Society would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca
After succumbing to illness on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 86 years of age, he leaves his loving wife, Joan (Bedard), of 65 years marriage (January 19, 1957). Father of Dan & his wife, Laura, and William Jr. & his wife, Hong. Opa of Ricky Narr, Lyndsay and her husband, Nathan Benjamin, great-granddaughter, Avery Benjamin. Opa of Curtis & Kyle Verkaik, Brian (Heng) Li and his wife, Courtney, and great-grandson, Ethan Li.
Born in Amersfoort, Netherlands, Bill immigrated at the age of 16 to Canada with his mother Sofia, father, Gerard, sister, Viki, and 3 older brothers; Peter, Gerard and Frank. As the youngest of his family, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Bill met Joan, his love of 65 years, while living in Sudbury, Ontario. He paid his way through school to become a Land Surveyor by teaching part time as a piano instructor. By taking residence in Burlington, Bill started his own business Verka Management to successfully design, develop and build well over 50 Retirement and Nursing homes throughout Ontario.
Bill lived a rich and full life of love and admiration. He has touched us all with his kindness. As an avid pianist, Bill's favorite composer was Beethoven whose music he would play to entertain us. As a last request to remember him for, Bill would have played Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata'. If you listen, you will hear his final voice.
In honouring Bill’s wishes a private family funeral service has taken place. Memorial donations to the Cancer Society would be appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Considerate Cremation & Burial Services, 26 Nihan Drive, St. Catharines (between Lake Street & Scott Street), 289-362-1144. Online condolences may be made at CCBSCares.ca