Obituary
Johannes Barend van de Ven passed away on September 20, 2024, at the age of 96.
Johannes Barend van de Ven is overleden op 20 september 2024, 96 jaar oud.
Hij wordt overleefd door zijn vrouw van 70 jaar Olga van de Ven - Bijl en hun zonen en gezinnen. Johan werd geboren in Amsterdam, Nederland. Hij werkte als procesingenieur in Dordrecht en Emmen voordat hij in 1977 naar Toronto Canada emigreerde.
Johan was muzikant, tuinman, ingenieur, schilder en een fervent reiziger. Hij had een nieuwsgierige geest en was altijd enthousiast om te leren en te ontdekken. In 1947 reisde hij ondanks beperkingen door Europa door te liften op Canadese legertrucks. Zijn gevoel voor avontuur bracht hem ertoe luchtvaarttechniek te gaan studeren, wat leidde tot zijn beroep. Hoewel hij als kind klassiek viool studeerde, werd hij, nadat hij in aanraking kwam met de muziek van Luis Armstrong en de Hot Club de France, een levenslange jazzmuzikant op gitaar en contrabas. Hij ontmoette de liefde van zijn leven, Olga, toen hij nog een tiener was en samen brachten ze drie jongens groot. Johan zei altijd dat “trouwen met Olga het beste was wat ik ooit heb gedaan”. Hij was een betrokken en enthousiaste echtgenoot, vader en opa. Hij had altijd tijd voor gekke spelletjes of serieuze gesprekken. Johan dacht diep na over de belangrijke vragen van het leven, hij was een seculier Humanist en een vrijdenker. Samen met Olga richtten ze het Toronto Chapter van de Humanistische Vereniging op. Hij geloofde dat het leven gevuld moest zijn met ideeën, ervaringen, vreugde, liefde, vriendelijkheid en het helpen van anderen. Zijn vriendelijke manier en warme glimlach zullen altijd in ons hart blijven.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years Olga van de Ven – Bijl and their sons and families. Johan was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. He worked as a process engineer in Dordrecht and Emmen before emigrating to Toronto in 1977.
Johan was a musician, a gardener, an engineer, a painter, and an avid traveler. He possessed a curious mind and was always excited to learn and explore. In 1947 he travelled Europe despite restrictions, by hitchhiking on Canadian Army trucks. His sense of adventure led him to study aeronautical engineering, which led to his profession. Although he studied classical violin as a child, after being exposed to the music of Louis Armstrong and the Hot Club de France, he became a lifelong Jazz musician on guitar and double bass. He met the love of his life, Olga while still a teenager and together they raised three boys. Johan always said that “marrying Olga was the best thing I ever did.” He was an engaged and enthusiastic husband, father and grandfather. He always had time for silly games or serious conversations. Johan thought deeply about life’s important questions, he was a secular Humanist and a freethinker. Together with Olga they founded the Toronto Chapter of the Humanist association. He believed that life should be filled with ideas, experiences, joy, love, kindness and the helping of others. His gentle manner and warm smile will always be in our hearts.
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Donations in Johan's memory can be made to The Humanist Association of Toronto. E-transfer: HatTreasurer@gmail.com
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Please accept my most sincere condolences. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Johannes was a thoughtful gentleman, conscientious, and kind. He and Olga were advocates for secularism, women's rights, rationality and freedom.
I grew up in Scarborough, coincidentally, not far from the van de Vens, but did not have the pleasure of meeting them until some years after I graduated from the U of Toronto and settled near Ottawa. By that time I had discovered and joined the Humanist Association of Ottawa (HAO, now Humanist Ottawa). I recall that when I learned that a Humanist Association of Toronto had recently formed, I joined immediately! Toronto did not have a humanist association at the time, so how could I not support a humanist organization in my home town ( even just as a remote member who would not be attending many meetings)? I have always been grateful for Johannes’ ( and Olga’s) initiative and leadership. Oh, how I wish our lives had intersected when I lived in Scarborough.
Thankfully, I did have the pleasure of meeting them in later decades at various humanist and CFI Canada conferences and events.
I cherish the conversations we had in their backyard when I used to visit Johannes and Olga when I was back in Scarborough to visit my family. We spoke of many things - often about WW II, human rights, nature, and the Netherlands ( my mother was Dutch and I have Dutch relatives.)
When a person becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
May you find comfort in knowing that Johannes' impact on the world will endure.
Sincerely,
Richard Thain and Réjeanne Sylvain
Postal address:
Dr Richard G L Thain
9 Heritage St
PO Box 341
EMBRUN ON
Canada
K0A 1W0
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Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that Johannes embodied throughout their life.
