PETER (PIET) BOER

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PETER (PIET) BOER Unexpectedly, yet peacefully on May 15, 2014, Peter (Piet) Boer passed away at the age of 80 years. Peter leaves to mourn his wife of 59 years Jennie; his children Jacob (Barbara), Ken, Carol (Doug), Cindy (Rick), Marlene (Raymond) and Wayne (Heather). His memory will be cherished by the grandchildren he was so proud of: James (Crystal), Myndi (Jeff), Becky, Jessie, Sharysse (Martin); Dustin, Samantha; Stephen, Kevin, Kaitlyn; Dillon; Raychel, Danielle, Serena; Izzy, Mckinnley, Sullivan. He also leaves nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and four brothers. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Herman, nephew Jesse, sister-in-law Kathy, daughter-in-law Rose and brother-in-law John. Dad was born on September 11, 1933, in Papendrecht, Zuid Holland. The second oldest of six boys during World War II, Dad learned to work hard at a very early age. He left his family and immigrated to Canada in the spring of 1953 at 19 years old. He met Jennie Tiel and they were married on April 15, 1955. Mom and Dad started married life without many possessions, and worked side-by-side to improve and build several homes for their growing family. They raised six children and demonstrated their love in Christ by providing a home for 60 foster children over the years. They built their final home in 1985 and it was Dad's favorite place to be. Dad was a driver for most of his working life: coal, milk, bus, lumber truck, fuel, long haul and cement mixer. He retired in 1998 but continued to keep himself busy with his own many projects. He was a man you could always count on to show up with his tools, a head full of ideas and loved to help his children and many others with all kinds of fix-it or building projects. He was a long-term member of the Dutch Canadian Society of Manitoba and loved being the resident cookie (spekulaas) baker for many events over the years. His grandchildren always knew that Opa would bake them cookies, and there was no limit to how many he would feed them. The best compliment paid to Dad would be how hard he worked and his devotion and love for his family. Mom and Dad taught us all a very strong work ethic, encouraged us to tackle our own projects, worked right beside us to achieve them and took great pride in a job well done. Ask about a holiday or gift ideas and you got the response "just come home". You were always welcomed with open arms, a full coffee pot and no one will ever forget Dad's memorable hugs. He and his hugs will be sadly missed by all of us. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, with viewing prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Little Britain Cemetery, 5879 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Peter's name to the Alzheimer's Society would be greatly appreciated.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 17, 2014