It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Captain Joe Van Schaick, Senior.
Captain Joe died in his sleep at the Collingwood Nursing Home in Collingwood Ontario at age ninety-three. Joe is survived by family and friends in the Netherlands & Canada, his second wife, Roberta Patricia (nee Tempro), his daughters Sophia Van Schaick, Mieke Manley (Sandy), Patricia Van Schaick (Tim McCune), his sons Joseph (Janet MacLean), Vincent (Sheila Mettam), Pieter (Lisa Tran), his grandchildren: Barbara, Maria, Patrick & Elizabeth Hayes; Anna-Marie, Gillian, Aiden & Sander Manley; Marguerite Dawson, Krista Speare, Janet McGowan, Jozeph & Jakob Van Schaick, Sharon Hine & Stacey Van Schaick; Chelsea & Magnus McCune; Ian & Mark Van Schaick; Cara & Schuyler VanSchaick, and his seventeen great grandchildren and by his relatives and friends in The Netherlands. Joe was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Sophia (nee de Jager), his siblings, Peter, Henk and Nellie Gjerlov, his loving wife of 55 years Maria Antoinette (nee Van Bijsterveltd), his daughter Anna Marie, and his son and daughter-in-law Kees (Casey) and Joan Van Schaick (nee Clark).
After suffering through the destruction and devastation of the Second World War in occupied Holland, Joe earned a college degree in animal husbandry. He had a natural connection with animals and even the most agitated horse would calm in his presence and with his touch. He began to travel. His skills translated wherever he went. Speaking five languages also helped and allowed him to travel three continents, eventually settling in eastern Canada.
A lucky connection in Prince Edward Island had him meet his future brother-in-law, Marinus, who encouraged Joe to write to his sister back in Holland. Through a lengthy letter writing courtship, he found his soulmate and in 1956 traveled back to Holland to marry Maria (Mary) Antoinette Van Bijsterveldt. They immediately immigrated to Canada and after pursuing a number of paths eventually settled in Big Bras d’Or, Nova Scotia as owners of what then “Captain Joe” would call a “semi-successful tourist trap”, still in business today some 50 years later.
His proudest moments were seeing the life he and his partner built from nothing while raising seven children who all graduated high school, pursued degrees and careers, and went on to build their own lives and set down roots throughout North America. He would often say, “life is about building something with the ones you love. It is not about addresses and riches but about making memories for you and your family.”
Captain Joe had one motto - “No regrets”. There is no point in wasting time rethinking old decisions and paths not taken. He never dwelt on failures but instead focused on turning those lemons to lemonade.
Captain Joe loved music. He sang in a choir as a boy in Eindhoven and later sang in the choir at the Basilica in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and in the Seniors Choir in Vineland, Ontario. At random times and regardless of the audience Captain Joe would sing in his big baritone voice, “Let’s not have the sniffles. Let's have a bloody good cry. Just remember the longer you live, the sooner you bloody well die”. Those who knew him, loved him….or didn’t. But few would forget him.
The family would like to thank the caring and thoughtful staff of the Collingwood Nursing Home for the wonderful care they gave over the past few years and for being there when the family could not.
A celebration of life and interment ceremony will be held on August 24, 2024 at 2 pm at the St James Church in Big Bras d’Or, Nova Scotia for Captain Joe and Mary Van Schaick. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a newcomers or immigration support charity of your choosing. CanadaHelps.org or the local YMCA are but two recommendations.
Better yet, introduce yourself to an immigrant in your community and take them down to your local coffee shop. Buy them a coffee from Captain Joe and tell them a little of his story.
Online memories and condolences may be forwarded via www.steckleygooderham.com