July 12, 2024
In loving memory ~
Gerrit Johan Rozenboom (Gerry/Rozie) passed away, surrounded by family, on July 12th, 2024 at Victoria General Hospital.
Gerrit was born in de Dorschkamp, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
''CARPE DIEM'' was Gerrit's motto to live by and he did just that in his 92 1/2 years. His zest for life, learning, inquisitiveness and love for his family are qualities he has imparted to the younger generations of our family.
Gerrit lived, with his family, through WWII as a young child and teenager. He attended Agricultural College in Andelst, graduating at age 21 years. Gerrit emigrated to Canada in 1953, arriving in Montreal and then on to Saskatchewan where he worked at the University. His degree from the Netherlands was not recognized so in 1955, he boarded the train and headed West through the Rockies, eventually ending up in Ocean Falls, B.C. working for the Hudson's Bay Company.
He met and married Doris, a travelling nurse from England, started a family, and changed his vocation, working in Crown Zellerbach Pulp Mill, becoming a pipefitter. Moves for work and other opportunities took the family of five to Coastal B.C, the Cariboo, and finally Vancouver Island where Gerrit worked in Gold River, Lake Cowichan and Crofton Pulp and Paper (BCFP).
Gerrit and Marjorie married in 1984 and moved to Nanaimo when Gerrit retired in 1993 and, later, to Victoria. They continued to enjoy life together, especially gardening, concerts in the park, and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren they share.
Gerrit is predeceased by his first wife, Doris in 1982; his youngest son, Dirk in 2008; his two sisters, Maria and Gerda Jannie, and his parents, Maas and Adriana.
Gerrit is survived by his second wife, Marjorie; son Jeremy and daughter Gerda, from his first marriage; two step-sons, Stuart (Darlene) Morgan and Brian Morgan; 7 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Gerrit's family would like to thank everyone who participated in and provided care to him, enabling him to stay in his own home until just before his passing.
No Service by Request.
A donation in Gerrit's memory may be made to the BCSPCA in your area or The Victoria Cancer Centre.