Harrie Voets

Surrounded by our love and in the comfort of his own home, our husband, father and Opa Harrie Voets passed away on Thursday April 7, 2011. Henricus Franciscus Voets, who later adopted the name “Harrie” was born in Holland on November 24, 1932. He is one of seven children, being survived by his sisters Net van den Akker and Jans van Rijzingen. He was predeceased by Toos, Tina, Theo and Jan.

While Harrie was still in Holland, he married his one true love Nellie in 1959 and determined to follow his dream he moved his family to Canada in 1968. He found work at a pig farm but had to leave because of a lung condition. He worked at Thomas and Dorssers building silos but after a fall which left him paraplegic he couldn’t return. That didn’t stop Harrie…in between giving talks of encouragement to others at University Hospital and nurturing his passion of woodworking; Harrie finished his career at Peeters Mushroom Farm.

Harrie was an inspiration to us, his children Johanna & Rick Wightman of Blenheim, Marion Smith & Steve Cutler of Blenheim, Ellie & Steve Voets-Sterling of Blenheim, Marco & Heather Voets of Blenheim and, Angeline & Troy Humber of Belle River as well as to his grandchildren Jeremy, Tawnya, Gregory, Nastasha, Sean, Terra, Bryce, Zoe, Cassandra, Mikayla, Joey, Wesley, Bailey, Caitlyn and Savannah and to his great grandchildren Tyler, Brennan and Ava. Our promise to him is that his memory will live on in the great grandchild who we will know soon. Predeceased by his daughter in law Katherine Voets-Keating in 2005.

It is said that a father is his daughter’s first love and his son’s first hero. Our Dad was that. When you hear the word Superhero, you might think of a tall man with a loud voice, flying through the air. Our Superhero was not tall. His voice was soft and it echoed words of wisdom and encouragement to us which made us who we are. And our Superhero walked with two crutches. He overcame many challenges and always came out a stronger man. But over the past few weeks our Dad’s fight was to find rest, and that he has. Rest well, dear Superhero…rest well.

Please join us for visitation at the Blenheim Community Funeral Home on Sunday April 10, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 & 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass for Harrie will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church on Monday April 11, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in Evergreen Cemetery. Friends wishing to remember Harrie with a memorial donation are asked to support his family’s team ”Outrageously Orange” as they walk for cancer at the Blenheim Relay for Life. Luminaries supporting the team may be arranged at the Funeral Home.