April 18, 1922 - November 5, 2019
We are saddened to announce the passing of Q.C. on November 5, 2019. Q.C. was born April 18, 1922 in Geertruidenberg, North Brabant, Holland. He was the oldest of 8 children with 6 girls born after him and then his only brother. In his youth, Q.C. was active in the horse club including a stint as its President. He often went from farm to farm with a stallion breeding other farmers' mares for them. Q.C. first met Adriana Prinse when she started gently throwing stones at his horse to get his attention as he rode by in a parade. They married on February 3, 1949 starting an incredible partnership. They set sail for the promised land of Canada in May 1949, arrived in Halifax and took a train to Vancouver. Their first child was born in December 1949 and they had 6 more over the next 7 years. Q.C. very quickly got into hauling and dealing dairy cattle and Adriana sorted potatoes and milked the cows at home. Their hard work allowed them to buy their first farm in Pitt Meadows in 1952. Q.C. parlayed his cattle dealing and hauling into a larger farm in Delta in 1964, and other farmland over the years. He never lost his love of going to weekly farm auctions and farm dispersals. He didn't need any prompting to speak his mind in farm meetings involving organizations like Fraser Valley Milk Producers, Delta Farmers Institute and the B.C. Milk Board. Q.C. and Adriana had a strong Catholic faith and were active in the social activities of the church, especially the dances. Q.C. loved meeting and talking to people. He was a big picture guy whose glass was always half full. He was open-minded, enthusiastic and always had a smile on his face. After 57 years of marriage, he lost his beloved Adriana in 2006 due to Parkinson's Disease. As time went on, Q.C. became a philosopher, advisor and storyteller. He lived in a small house with his long-time sidekick, son Eddy, until 12 days before he passed away. Q.C. had an endless repertoire of his exploits wheeling and dealing, his love of horses, farming and farm real estate. He also had a penchant for doling out wisdom, insights and simple truths about life. Q.C. was truly one of a kind and created a tremendous legacy for his family.
He was a remarkable Dad, Opa and Great Opa who will be missed by his 7 children John (Sherri), Casey (Marilyn), Eddy, Jack (Ellie), Gary (Henny), Jim (Betty) and MaryAnn (Jim), 33 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren. Q.C. was predeceased by his loving wife, four sisters and two great-grandchildren. He died peacefully at the age of 97 with family at his side at Cascade (Chilliwack) Hospice. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Chilliwack Hospital and Cascade Hospice. A special thanks to Dr. Cameron Ross for his generous care for our Dad.
Prayers will be held Monday, Nov 18 at 7:00 pm St. Ann's Catholic Church, Abbotsford. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, 33333 Mayfair Avenue, Abbotsford, B.C. at 10:00 am on Tuesday, November 19, 2019. Reception to follow at St. Ann's Parish Hall. Donations in Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org in honour of his wife Adriana van Dongen.