Obituary of John Thomas Hoogerwerf

With broken hearts, we suddenly had to say good-bye to Dad in the early morning of Monday, September 23, 2024 at Dykeland Lodge in Windsor. 85 years ago, he was born just minutes after his twin brother, Joe on August 24, 1939 to Andries Frans Joseph and Philomena May (Schump) Hoogerwerf in St. Peters, Cape Breton and spent much of his young life growing up in beautiful Port George. with his parents, three sisters, and brother. After leaving Port George and embarking on a few adventures, Dad came to call Hantsport home by 1968 where he found work first at CKF (Canadian Keyes Fibre), then took on a successful carpentry career, and finally completed work life with Shirley once they retired from ownership and management of Uncle John’s store in Hantsport in the early 2000s. 

Dad has left behind a legacy in the love and pride he had for us kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We never had a doubt that we were the most important people in his life and how happy it made him to simply be together with us. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Becky (Don Burry), Susan (Reed Spencer), Sean (James Lane), and Andrew (Michelle Hoogerwerf); two step-children, Angela (Rob Gallagher) and Larry Walker; and sister, Adriana “Audrey” Slocum. His six grandchildren, including Jay and Cassidy Franklin, Joshua (Marcy) and Jessica Spencer, and Jonathan (Moriah) and Julia Hoogerwerf, as well as great-grandchildren, Diem and Jrue Spencer were never short on “Grampie love” as he thought the world of them all.

He was predeceased by his parents, Andries and Philomena Hoogerwerf; twin brother, Johannes ‘Joe’ Hoogerwerf; sisters, Magdalena ‘Babe’ Rayfuse and Nellie Hiltz; as well as his beloved wife, Shirley. 

Dad loved life, especially the people in it as family and friends brought him true joy and meaning, even when he lost a game of crib to them, or the Blue Jays were on a losing streak. He was so easy to love and asked for little himself. Instead he tried through humour, music, compassion, connection, generosity, and maybe a toddy or two to make the lives of others better. He touched the hearts of many and will be dearly missed. 

We would like to sincerely thank the incredibly compassionate staff at Dykeland in Windsor for openly welcoming our father to the Lodge and for taking such great care of him over the past few years. Also, the love and support that you have shown us as a family while he lived there as well as during this difficult time is recognised and so very much appreciated.

Arrangements for cremation have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert St., Windsor (902-798-8317). On Saturday, October 12, 2024, we will be honouring Dad’s wishes and “sprinkling him” so that he is reunited with Shirley and his brother Joe, as well as enjoying the view in Port George. Following this family time, we will be on the top floor of the Royal Canadian Legion - Wolfville Branch 74, 310 Main St, Wolfville, NS B4P 1C4, from 3 – 5 p.m. that same day to welcome friends as we give thanks and raise a glass to toast and celebrate our wonderful father. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to the Dykeland Lodge Society at https://dykelandlodge.ca/donate/ or 124 Cottage St., Windsor, NS, B0N 2T0. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca.

Happy trails, Dad!