NICOLAAS ANTONIUS MARIE VAN KATS

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NICOLAAS ANTONIUS MARIE VAN KATS It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle. Nico was born June 4, 1944 in Polsbroek, Netherlands, and died peacefully on February 20, 2014 at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg, MB. In 1952 Nico (Nick) immigrated to Canada with his parents and five brothers. Eventually, his family earned and saved enough for their own dairy farm that Nico and his brothers worked on, in Chesterville, ON. Having a keen mind and intellect, he studied and graduated from the University of Waterloo with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He also met the love of his life there, Susan, his wife of 44 years. He began his career working in the pulp and paper field as a process chemist in 1967, and worked in a variety of pulp and paper communities, such as Red Rock, ON, Orillia, ON, St. Catharines, ON, Smooth Rock Falls, ON, Atholville, NB, Kenora, ON and finally settling in Mackenzie, BC, where he lived for over 18 years. After the passing of his wife in 2010, he moved to Winnipeg to spend more time with his sons and grandchildren. A member of the Knight's of Columbus since 1972, doing volunteer/charity work until the end, Nico was all about doing the right thing and helping others as often as he possibly could. Wise beyond his years, always putting others first, he will be dearly missed. Nick was predeceased by his beloved wife Susan, his parents Willem and Jozina van Kats and brother August van Kats. Nick leaves to mourn his sons: Nico and Christopher, daughter-in-law, Anita and his cherished grandchildren, Matthew, Emily and Joshua. He is also survived by his brothers: John van Kats, of Orillia, ON, Mike van Kats (Fay) of Orleans, ON, Johnny van Kats (Donna) of Canterbury, NB, Ben van Kats (Irene) of Thornhill, ON, and his nieces and nephews: Michael, Sandra, Brenda, Bill, Laura, Lisa and Greg. Cremation has taken place and a funeral mass celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Mother of the Church, 85 Kirkbridge Drive, Winnipeg, MB with Father Kevin Bettens officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nick's memory to the Canadian Diabetes Association. The Coutu Family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald Street 204-253-5086 ejcoutu.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 25, 2014