December 15, 1933 - October 9, 2020
It is with sad hearts we announce the passing of Jan Van Gameren on Oct 9, 2020. Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Jan was born in the Netherlands and grew up during the war, in a family of six kids, Jan being the second youngest. Jan spent his teens after the war working in a machine shop where he became an experienced lathes man and boiler maker. Dad was a master of many different trades. Plumbing, electrical, fabrication, wood work, you name it he could do it.
Jan married Sophia Ramkema on Sept 11, 1957. They had three children, Andre, Ernst & Alice. In 1970, the family immigrated to Canada and settled in the Coldstream Valley. Dad was drawn to the mountains and loved working at his brother in-laws construction company.
After his brother in-law retired, Dad worked on his own, doing reno's and building custom kitchens. Dad loved work and always kept busy even when he retired. His motto was, do a very good job and check your work twice!
He loved his home and built a turret on the house, thus his nickname Sir John, because he had a castle.
Jan is remembered by his loving kids, Andre and (Judy), Ernst and Charity, Alice and Don, grandkids Jenae, Logan, Joshua, Jessica, Denny, Tyren, and great grandkids. Thank you to the neighbors for looking after Dad when Mom passed and to all who helped him stay in his home till the end.
A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Arrangements made by Bethel Funeral Home.