We are so sad to announce the passing of Henry Leonard vanderVoort, 85 years, 9 months and two weeks. Husband, Father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend.
He was born in Blenheim, Ontario on March 7, 1935 and passed away on December 23, 2020 of natural causes.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Anita; and his children, Mary (Verl), Olie, Anne (fiancé Ryan) and Nick; grandchildren, Erie (Katie), Shayla (Chris), Michael, Ryan (Morgann), Danielle (Shane) and Jeremy; great grandchildren, Colby, Maddox, Keagan, Chastity, Freyja and Ralph; sister Patricia Andruchow (Bob); sisters-in-law Yvette Bouchard, Annette Pinette (Levis); brother-in-law Eddie Laderoute (Diane); his aunt Juliette Kuyp and many nieces and nephews and ocusins.
He was predeceased by his son Terence (Terry) and son-in-law Glenn Caumartin; his uncles and aunts, brothers-in-law Phil Laderoute, Olie Laderoute, Leo Laderoute and Tony Laderoute.
Henry was born in Blenheim, Ontario, but as his mother passed away nine days after his birth, Omi, his grandmother, went for him and brought him home to their farm near Glenella, and there he was raised. He attended school at Glen Allan up to and including grade 8. He then took grade 9 by correspondence, From the age of 17 to 21, he was in 4-H. He entered a calf every year and won many awards, including first place. He grew up with his aunts and uncles as his siblings. He enjoyed curling and playing ball.
Going to dances with his friends was something they liked to do. One Saturday was a trip to Ste. Rose to a dance, and that is where he met Anita, the love of his life. They married in October of 1958 and raised a family of five.
Henry was a farmer through and through, but he also had other interests. Woodworking was one of them. He made many ornaments for Anita and the yard.
Once the kids were old enough, they would play ball in the old barnyard. In the winter, it was hockey on the dugout. Henry bought hockey sticks for everyone and used a horse turd for a puck. These special times took place on Sunday afternoons.
Henry was always there when help was needed, (homework, or fixing or learning something new). He raised his family with quiet discipline. Visiting back and forth with neighbors was something he enjoyed.
As he got older, the farm was getting too much, so they decided to retire, but not completely. It took a couple of years before they decided on their new home in Riding Mountain, in 2006. He still had 80 acres to keep him busy and eggs to pick from the chickens they had. They made many friends with the people who stopped in to buy their eggs.
Then, as Alzheimer’s (dementia) crept in, Henry’s mind started slipping, so he rented out his land. Then, it was helping Anita in the garden that kept him busy.
January 4, 2019, Country Meadows became his new and final home. He liked to keep busy in there too. As time went on, it was harder to engage with him, but in his mind, he was still farming. He would say things that you knew he had stuff to do or had done. Right up to the end though, when he had a moment or two of recognition, he knew his family.
He never finished school
But he finished every job
He ever started.
He grew his own food, not because
It was the “new way”
But because it was the only way.
He lived through times when
Money and food was sparse,
But his kids never missed a meal,
Although he did.
He’s seen droughts, tornadoes, floods
Fires and wind destroy his farm,
but he never gave up.
If he had two dollars to his name,
He would give it to you,
If you were in need.
He’s a grandfather, father, uncle, brother, husband and friend.
Due to public health restrictions, a graveside service was held on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm in the McCreary Catholic Cemetery in McCreary, MB.
Pallbearers: Jeremy Sunley, Eric Smith, Verl Smith, Ryan Crighton, Roland Kuyp, Ed Caumartin.
Honourary Pallbearers: Michael vanderVoort, Ryan vanderVoort, Danielle Juenke, Shayla Vokey
The service was live streamed from this page on Monday, January 4, 2021 at 2:00 pm. You may access it by going to Sneath Strilchuk Funeral Home's website homepage and clicking on the Facebook icon which will redirect you to the Sneath-Strilchuk Facebook page.
You do not require a Facebook account to participate.
A memorial mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of the Nativity RC Church when public health conditions permit.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in memory of Henry to the Alzheimer's Society of Manitoba or to Our Lady of the Nativity Roman Catholic Church, McCreary, MB, R0J 1B0
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