VANDERKWAAK, Abraham
Abraham Vanderkwaak passed away into the arms of our Lord on Friday, February 16, 2007 at the age of 77 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, B.C. Beloved husband of Rene and loving father of Nick, Margaret, Darlene, Tillie, Janet, Gerry and Martin. Abe will be missed greatly by them and their families, which include his fifteen grandchildren, and a recently born great-grandson.
Abraham and his wife moved to Canada from Holland in 1951, and established a home in Terrace, B.C. where he and Rene raised their seven children. Many fine buildings and homes in the Terrace area were built by Abe, who worked as a carpenter and ran V&V Construction with partner John Vis for many years, and later worked on his own as Abvan Builders. While in Terrace, Abe was also active in leadership roles in the Christian Reformed Church and the Centennial Christian School. After a 14 year period of retirement in Penticton, Abe and Rene moved to Comox in December 2006 to be closer to their children during his illness. The family wishes to thank the caring and compassionate doctors, nurses and care workers in Kelowna, Penticton and Comox for their kindness and efforts on Abe’s behalf. Following a 1:00 pm graveside service Friday, February 23 for family to be held at the City of Courtenay Cemetary, a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm at the Comox Valley Presbyterian Church, 725 Aspen Road, Comox. Family and friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local hospice/palliative care society, or your favoured charity.