Obituary of Josephus Antonius Arnoldus Vandenboom

VANDENBOOM – Josephus A. “Joe” passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Welland Hospital on Monday, September 30, 2024 in his 95^th year.  Predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Mary (nee. van den Bogaard), loving father to Susan (Ralph Laird), Mary (Jos) Nolle, Joe (Marcy) Vandenboom.  Wonderful Opa to Hilary Nolle (Shayd Margan), Mark Nolle (Carly Beamish), Spencer, Parker and Wil Vandenboom, and Fiona Laird.  Predeceased by all seven of his siblings in Holland and survived by his sister-in-law, Truus Vanhoof as well as many nieces and nephews both in Canada and Holland.

Joe immigrated to Canada from his beloved hometown of Vorstenbosch in Holland in 1953.  With little English or education, but with lots of determination and hard work – Joe quickly moved from manual labour and a worker at Ford motor company in Oakville, to self-employment as a house renovator and builder in the St. Thomas area.

With his wife Mary, they raised three children, Susan, Mary and Joe at the hobby farm they bought in Sparta, Ontario in 1969.  A family friend from Holland, Greta DeKorte, was an integral and beloved member of the family for all the many years they lived there.  Joe is fondly remembered by his children for his ability to enjoy life’s simple pleasures, particularly if they were free –   those daily rides in the pick-up truck to swim or hike at Springwater Conservation Area, a camping trip in the same pick-up truck to Florida, the wonderful animal menagerie, tree swings, and various motorized entertainments at the farm.

Joe lived his final 5 years near at Shorthills Retirement Villa, near his two daughters, Susan and Mary.  We would like to give our sincere thanks to the Shorthills staff for all their care and kindness, to Dr. Saliba for his prompt and kind attentiveness to Joe’s medical needs, to Karen Martin for her weekly DQ visits with Joe, and also to the nurses and doctors at the Welland Emergency department for their wonderful, professional care in his final hours.

Joe will join his wife, Mary, at the Holy Angel’s cemetery in St. Thomas where the family will hold a simple, private ceremony.  Ice cream was one of Joe’s greatest lifetime pleasures. In his memory, please enjoy a scoop or two of your favourite flavour together with your loved ones. 

Arrangements entrusted to the Shawn Jackson Funeral Home, 31 Elgin Street, St Thomas (519-631-0570).  Personal condolences to the family can be made at www.sjfh.ca