Service:
A private family service will be held.
Interment in Pardoville Cemetery.
John Nauta passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, October 1, 2020.
John was born in Surhuizum, the Netherlands on August 24, 1933 to the late Jacob and Wietske (Houwink) Nauta. Loving and faithful husband for almost 60 years to Hermina (Lam) and father to Wendy (Adrian) Weesjes, Aylmer; Evelyn (John) Leistra, Mount Brydges; Jim (Janet), Blenheim; Marcia (Harry Vanderveen), Burlington; and Rose (2019) and Andy Boyd, Brisbane Australia. Dear Opa to Erica, Rachel, Julie, Nicholas (Laura), Alex (Sam), Lianna (Nicholas) and Matthew.
John was pre-deceased by siblings Abe, Harry, Dick, Jake, Ronnie Timmermans, Joan Sonneveld, Diane Gracey and four infant brothers. Survived by his brother Ralph (Margaret) Nauta, and sisters Clara (Hank) Woudenburg, Hilda Berghuis, Catherine Verbeek, and Ruth Oden. Also survived by his sisters-in law Marie, Hilda and Lisa Nauta, brother-in law John Timmermans and cousin Corrie Blommers as well as numerous in-laws, nieces and nephews in Canada, Holland and New Zealand.
John immigrated to Canada in 1947 with his parents and siblings. He farmed in Blenheim and Ridgetown until retiring in 1990 and then enjoyed a second career as a bus driver for DeNure’s in Blenheim for 17 years. He enjoyed seeing his granddaughters at Harwich Raleigh School and soon all the kids called him Opa. His third career was as the janitor at Blenheim Christian Reformed Church for 10 years, finally retiring in 2017.
John was a hard worker and his garden was his pride and joy; he was always ready to share its abundance with family and friends.
A private family service will be held with interment in Pardoville Cemetery.
Donations to UCB Radio Chatham https://www.ucbcanada.com/donate or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by his family.
Rest in peace, Opa.