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JACOB TUINMAN Obituary
Born in 1941, passed away peacefully on August 22, with Francine Frisson, his wife of 25 years, by his side. He also leaves behind his sons Jaap (Charlotte) and Bryan (Melody), and grandchildren Kai and Liron. Jaap is survived by his brothers Tiem and Jan, and sisters Fenny and Janneke and their families and also by Synja, his sons' mother. A life-long educator, Jaap dedicated himself to over 40 years of dynamic contributions to educational agendas as teacher, administrator, in governance at all levels of education: public school, college and university; as author, as consultant to educational publishers, to institutions and governments; as a contributor to forward- looking educational developments in traditional and distance/open education environments. Born in Genemuiden, Holland, Jaap travelled the world. His career and passions took him from Holland, to Surinam, to the US and then to Canada, from BC (serving as Dean of Education at Simon Fraser University) to Newfoundland (Vice- President Academic and Pro-Vice Chancellor at Memorial University of Newfoundland), back to BC (President, Open Learning Agency), and then to Gaborone Botswana, where he served as the UNESCO Chair in Open and Distance Learning, finally retiring to Nanaimo in 2007 amidst the nature and animals he loved. Special mention to our close friend Sarah, whose compassion, support, and kindness to Jaap and the family meant the world to us all during his struggle with dementia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Canada or to the SPCA in Jaap's name. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, September 25, 2015; 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Diamond Alumni Centre, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby B.C.
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9 Entries
Robert Walker
May 30, 2022
So very sad to hear about the passing of Jaap Tuinman. He was Dean of Education at SFU while I was Professor there. He was a great educator, a great administrator, and a committed colleague. He brought a unique understanding to everything he did. So sad!
Pat Sheaves
September 27, 2015
On one of the last occasions that I saw Jaap he was introducing me to his two hedgehogs as they ran around and over our plates on the dining room table after a delicious meal at his North Vancouver home. That was Jaap! Fine food, beautifully prepared, accompanied by way too much wine and intelligent, entertaining conversation - with hedgehogs on the table! What else would you expect from a warm, quirky, intelligent, kind-hearted, fun-loving and, at times, completely irreverent man who loved people and loved life?
At the time, I thought that Francine must have had the patience of a saint to endure him and his antics. Yet, I knew that she was probably like the rest of us who knew him well and loved him, flaws and all. I met and worked with Jaap at Memorial University in Newfoundland. I worked with him again at the Open Learning Agency in Burnaby. He told me on more than one occasion that I was one of the smartest people he had ever met. If only I could see in myself what he saw in me! I will always be grateful, though, that he cared enough to share his opinion and to give me opportunities to prove him right.
I have not seen Jaap in many years but I have thought of him often and remembered him fondly on every occasion. I am saddened at his loss. My condolences to his family.
Allan MacKinnon
September 22, 2015
Jaap was so full of life and vitality, generosity and good will, fun and enthusiasm, courage and boldness. I remember how he would begin our faculty meetings by telling us all that we were the best faculty of education in the country! He was always very good to me and I admired him greatly for his leadership and spirit.
Willie Davidson
September 17, 2015
A man of energy and spirit. Well remembered for his endeavours on the soccer field in the annual faculty v. womens university team when at Memorial. A wonderful bon vivant who showed us how to live life to the fullest. Best wishes and condolences to his extended family.
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surjeet siddoo
September 14, 2015
My sympathy to Francine and family. I am saddened to hear of Jaap's passing. I was hired by Jaap into the Faculty of Education. The Faculty of Education had a very positive atmosphere created by Jaap's enthusiasm and energy which contributed to a great place to work. I will cherish the many happy times we all shared. May your family memories of Jaap comfort you now and in the future.
Kieran Egan
September 2, 2015
Energy, sparkle and a big heart, and a great colleague who enlarged the faculty by his great presence. Such a loss!
Maureen Parks
September 2, 2015
My condolences to Dr. Tuinman's wife, family and friends... I always hoped that fine day I might have the opportunity to work with him again.
Not now, but hopefully in another life.
I consider myself very fortunate to have known Jaap and I thank him wholeheartedly for his belief in me. I will keep that FOREVER.
RIP my dear friend .. heaven is waiting for you.
Meguido Zola
September 1, 2015
Condolences to Jaap's loved ones.
What struck me about Jaap on first encountering him was the twinkly, shy, boyish smile, the ready laughter, and the Rabelaisian humour. What I learned over time to admire about Jaap was his fiercely independent and shrewdly entrepreneurial spirit; his wide-open mind; his warm heart; his ability to engage, connect and 'people-make; and his knack for finessing the most challenging obstacles. Not a man for all seasons and resolutely his own man broadly educated and cultured, and possessed of a miscellany of small, precious gifts, from the willingness to engage in play, to storytelling, to performing on the organ (PDP Retreat, 1989) like an angel. Ave atque Vale!
Allan Luke
August 31, 2015
Thanks Jaap - for taking me under your wing and teaching me a thing or two. It made a difference. Travel well. Allan
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