SCOTSBURN – John Gerald (Johannes Gerardus) van Vulpen, 90, of Heathbell Rd., Scotsburn, passed away suddenly September 6, 2012 in the Halifax Infirmary.
He was born January 12, 1922 in Hoogeland, the Netherlands. Following his immigration to Canada from Holland in 1950 with his new bride Anna, he finally fulfilled his dream of owning his own farm in 1955 with the purchase of a property near Scotsburn. They raised six children on the farm and after years of hard work established a successful dairy farm. His retirement gave him the opportunity to learn new hobbies and travel. Woodworking became a passion for him along with weekly bowling with their good friends, managing his firewood lot, playing cards with his grandchildren, scenic drives (preferably without a map or destination) and most recently, the art of cooking, which he embraced as a new hobby.
John is survived by his wife, Anna (Tolboom); children, Rita (Peter Kiefl) van Vulpen, Kentville; Janet (Greg) Sutcliffe, Dartmouth; Linda (Ron Coolen) van Vulpen, Halifax; John (Debbie) van Vulpen, New Glasgow; Jo-Ann (André Doucette) van Vulpen, Sundridge; son-in-law, Gordon Neish, Karsdale; brother, Bert, Amherst; 14 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by daughter, Nellie Neish and three older brothers in the Netherlands: Hein, Hendrik and Francis.
Visitation will be held 2-4, 7-9 p.m. Monday in McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou. Funeral mass will take place 2 p.m. Tuesday from Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church, Pictou, with Father Gerald Campbell officiating. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. A reception will follow in the church hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.
The family wish to extend sincere thanks to the staff of 4.1 Inpatients, Halifax Infirmary.
Online condolences: mclarenfuneral.ca