Obituary of Hank van Leerzem

On February 1, 2013, Hank ended a short struggle following a stroke suffered earlier in the week. His loving family was by his side at the hospital in Lakeland, Florida. Hank was born in Gulpen, Nederland on November 16, 1939 to Gillis van Leerzem and Maria de la Haye. Hank immigrated to Canada in 1958 where he was welcomed by his aunt, uncle and cousins, the Joosse family. He was a hard working, successful man who could always take time out of any day to enjoy a drink and have a chat with his friends. He was fiercely proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. Survived by his wife, Pauline (de Jeu), his children, Mike (Sue) van Leerzem, Sandra (Luke) Van Aert, Brian (Stacey) van Leerzem, Tracy Lynn (Darryll) Mantel, and Janice (Michael) Jamieson and his three step-children Kevin (Jackie) de Jeu, Michael de Jeu (Donna Paris) and Nicole (Stephen) Coates. Hank is also survived by his 25 grandchildren Jaclyn (Kurtis) Nutma, Derek, Lauren, Jilleen and Lexine van Leerzem; Samantha (Willem) Bloemen, Simon, Kandice and Theo Van Aert; Jeff, Jake and Janessa van Leerzem; Correy, Kaylynn and Connor Mantel; Justin, Josh and Jozlin Jamieson; Brendan, Ryan and Jacob de Jeu; Lillian, Simon, Charlotte and Zachary Coates and by his two great grandchildren Lucas and Ben Bloemen. Hank was predeceased by his first wife, Corrie (Timmermans) in 1999, his brothers Jo and Max and his sister Thea. Hank had an amazing lust for life and brightened any room he entered. He will be truly missed by his family, friends and all who knew him. Visitation will be held at Denning Bros. Funeral Home, Strathroy on Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial to be held in All Saints Roman Catholic Church, 124 Front Street. E Strathroy, on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 11 a.m. Interment in Mt. Calvary Roman Catholic Cemetery. In memory of Hank, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.