HELDER, Franciscus Johannes
July 24, 1936 - March 7, 2021
It is with sadness that the family announce Frans’ passing on March 7, 2021 at the age of 84.
He is survived by his loving family, his wife of 55 years; Josie, his children; Chris, Roos (Gerlof), son-in-law; Greg, his grandchildren; Connor, Natalie, Christopher, Patricia, Leanne, Jack, Liam & Shae. His brother in the Netherlands; Leen (Dini) and his sisters in Canada; Ceferina, Luz, Perla (Anecito) and nephew and niece; Marcel (Kai) & Maria (Joseph) and numerous other family members and good friends Buddy & Bev Kubrak as well as many other good friends.
Frans is predeceased by his daughter Maria Patricia Schmidt in 2014, his parents Johannes & Pieternella, and siblings; Joop, Bep (Antoon), Nel (Rien).
Frans was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 1936. After regular school he attended Navigation College as well as Erasmus University in Rotterdam. While being a merchant navy officer for about 10 years he was able to travel and see all corners of the world including Manila, Philippines where he met his future wife Josie. After a long distance courtship of a couple of years they married in 1965 and settled in H. I. Ambacht. Once their first daughter Patty was born, he was able to get a job closer to home in the harbours of Rotterdam. Chris and Roos were born within the following 2 years. In 1980 the family moved to Barrhead where he worked for the town Recreation & Maintenance department. There he supervised the arena in the winter and the sport grounds, swimming pool maintenance, and all the parks and flowerbeds in the summer- until his retirement. He enjoyed working in his garden, reading, watching tv, drinking coffee and socialising, and travelling to Vancouver, the Philippines and the Netherlands to visit his kids and grandkids. (O)pa will be remembered for his constant joking, drinking coffee, asking for cookies and ice cream, and his fair, friendly and easy going personality. Forever in our heart.
Donations in Frans memory can be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Amanda Lambert of Rose Garden Chapel. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.rosegardenchapel.com
Rose Garden Chapel
780-674-4644
