John A. Mertens Sr.
Lieu de naissance : Oosterhout Holland
Lieu de décès : Sydney Mines
Date de décès : 25 juin 2014
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, John A. Mertens Sr., on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at the Veterans Unit of Harbor View Hospital, Sydney Mines.
Born in Oosterhout, Holland, he was the son of the late Adrianus and Elizabeth (Pelckmans) Mertens.
John worked as a mechanic for J.P. MacNeil in Sydney for many years until his retirement. He was a veteran of the Second World War, enlisting in the 21st British army in the AAT Transport Division to support the Allied push towards Germany as a truck driver. After the war, John, his wife Ida and their baby boy immigrated to Canada in 1952 arriving in Halifax at Pier 21. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch #19, North Sydney. John was a dedicated member of the North Sydney Historical Society where he and his wife Ida were instrumental in creating the Holland exhibit, now on permanent display at the North Sydney Historical Museum. He was a member of St. Joseph Church, North Sydney.
He is survived by his four sons, Adrian (Diane), Mill Creek, John (Doreen), Scotch Lake, Bernard (Janice), Millville, Hubert (Leah), Sydney Mines, and one daughter Elizabeth 'Betty' (Phil), Australia, his five grandchildren Starla, Keith, Krista, Johnathon and Kara and five great-grandchildren, Abbygail, Taylor, Alex, Madison and Erin. Also surviving are his brothers, Piet, Toon, Hubert, Frans and Bernard Mertens, all of Holland and sisters, Jopie Sonderegger, Holland and Jean (John) Eyking, Millville and many nieces and nephews.
John was predeceased by his wife, Ida (Van Berkel) Mertens in 1998 and brothers, Mart, Art and Wim Mertens and sister, Riet Vanostade.
Visitation for John will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant St., North Sydney. Funeral mass to be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, at St. Joseph Church with Rev. Patrick O’Neill officiating. Burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Sydney.
Memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.wjdooley.com.
