AREND PETRUS BERENDSE

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AREND PETRUS BERENDSE

Harry, Pops, Dad, Opa, Opes and Oaps “took his leave of this temporal world to be received into the infinite mystery of the hereafter” on Saturday, April 13, 2024, after 91 years of life filled with pastry, schooling, a bit of military service, travel, courting, loving, family, work, building, retirement, friendships and the challenge posed later in his life, living with a less than perfect working heart. It was that less than perfect heart that slowly and, then more suddenly, put him to final rest.

He will be missed by many including his children, Joy, Sheila (Robert), Ray (Cheryl) and grandchildren, Alyssa (Josh), Amanda, Evan (Kayla), Stefan, Chelsey (Christian) and Nicole (Paul). He will also be dearly missed by his long-time friend, companion and soul mate Phyllis Doreen Hirota (and her family), and nieces, Jeanne (Ray) Dubois and Robin Elliot.

He was predeceased by his parents, Arend and Jeanne Berendse, his first son Peter, his first love and wife Engelina (Nini), and sister Nell Elliot.

Dad was born on November 22, 1932, in The Hague, Netherlands. He was the son of a baker and as such, enjoyed the fruits of his mother and father’s labour. He wasn’t much for academics until, while serving a compulsory term in the army, an opportunity to learn about radio technology caught his eye and piqued his interest in the field. Dad immigrated to Canada in May, 1954. He travelled to Winnipeg by train, on the way stopping in Montreal and staying with good friends and his Canadian sponsors for a while. In Winnipeg, he secured a job with Cam’s Electronics, repairing radios and televisions. Beginning in 1960, he had a wonderful career working for the CBC and retired on March 1, 1990. He subsequently studied building services and became a 5th Class Engineer in order to take on the care of Laureate Landing until he finally retired at age 79.

Mom and Dad met and courted in Holland in their teens. They were separated for a period when dad immigrated to Canada while mom worked briefly in the U.S. They were reunited and married in August 1955. Mom and Dad’s love was their cottage, (started from humble beginnings: a 27 foot trailer on a piece of treed rock) which they built together at Beauty Bay just north of Kenora, Ontario. Dad, Mom and the family spent many happy days at the cottage.

After Mom and Dad separated, they remained good friends, visiting and talking regularly. Sometime after the separation, Dad developed a friendship with Phyllis. For more than 20 years, his love and friendship with Phyllis grew strong, sharing meals, holidays and many cultural, educational and family events. Our family was so happy for Dad that he found true joy, fulfillment and love in his relationship with Phyllis.

Dad resided for many years in an apartment in St. Boniface and then in a cooperative housing complex on Osborne Street, both of which he dearly loved.

We would like to thank Drs. R. Sen and D.S. Jassal for their excellent personal care and also the staff at St. Boniface Hospital E4, particularly Dr. Paul Muns, for their care and concern.

A private family gathering will take place.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 20, 2024, Apr 20, 2024