John VANDERSPEK

With grief for his loss but gratitude for his life, the family of John (Johannes) Vanderspek announce his peaceful passing at home on April 7,2021 in his 86th year. Predeceased by parents Willem and Cornelia, his sisters Corry and Ria, and his brother Kees, John is survived by his brothers Wim (Rieke) and Rien (Claudia), and by his sister Carla (Wim). John was a loving husband of more than 60 years to Grace Vanderspek; beloved father to Janine, Jeff (Brenda), and Dennis (Lisa); cherished brother-in-law to Greta; beloved grandpa of Bryan (Taylor), Vanessa, and Sarah; and uncle to nieces and nephews in the Netherlands. John's musical talent was recognized early, and while still in his teens he graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague and immigrated to Canada to play French horn in the Royal Canadian Regiment, where he remained as an officer until, with a wife and family to think of, he began teaching music at Aldershot High School in Burlington, then Galt Collegiate in Cambridge. He retired from teaching in 1994 but remained active musically as accompanist on piano for the Burlington Seniors Choir, a position he held for 12 years. After retiring, John spent time with his many hobbies and was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 60) and Redemption Church in Flamborough. John's health began to decline in recent years, but he witnessed his reality with wisdom and carried his suffering with dignity and courage. It is part of the success of his life that everyone who saw him in recent years remembers a man who faced his challenges with determination and good humour. He was a good man, a kind and funny man, a teacher, musician, officer, husband, son, brother, father, uncle, and grandfather. The family is grateful that he was able to live the sort of life he wanted, and that it was a life that made him happy more often than it made him sad. The family is also grateful, in another sense, for the way John used to stick a bow to his forehead when he was unwrapping presents, and for the funny poetry -- he called it his doggerel -- he wrote at Christmas for Grace when he gave her a special gift. We are grateful for his eccentric renditions of Happy Birthday on the piano, for his occasional complaints about the government, for the way he would use a handkerchief in the driveway to clean the headlights of any car that needed it before he would let you go; for his like of British comedy and dislike of squirrels and the smell of popcorn. We will miss them all. Due to pandemic restrictions a celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, may be sent to Redemption Canadian Reformed Church of Flamborough, church building fund: tithe@redemption-church.ca. Please include "Gift in Faith" in the message body. Please sign the Tribute Wall at kitchingsteepeandludwig.com