Obituary of Joachim "John" Andrew Van Der Werf

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Joachim “John” Andrew Van Der Werf of Grimsby on Sunday, December 28th at the St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton in his 65th year after a long, hard fought battle with liver disease. 

Loving husband of Ana Mae Lara Pena. Dear father to Pieter. Brother to Andrew (Marie), Lisa (Ken) Bohnert, and Veronica (Steve) Shea; Uncle to Danielle, Colleen (Cody) St. Goddard, Amanda (Cody), Emma (Brendan) Sterling, Evan Bohnert, and Kyle Shea. Gruncle to Theo St. Goddard. He will be dearly missed by his Aunts, Margaret and Aggie, Cousins, Friends and Matalik na kaibigan and their families in Canada and Holland, and his wife’s family in the Philippines. He now joins in Heaven his father Pieter, his mother Helena (nee Huitema), his brother Richard and other extended family.

He was kind, loving, and caring to everyone he knew. He was intelligent, funny, and stubborn in his own way, and he stood by what he believed in. He will be remembered for his warmth and the love he shared with others. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital and the St. Joseph’s ICU Unit for their care and compassion.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the West Lincoln Memorial Hospital or the Liver Foundation in John’s honour would be appreciated by the family.