Willems

John, Mary and Nancy arrived in Canada on December 7, 1951 on the Veendam, landing in Halifax at Pier 21. Coming to Canada to better his life with his young family, John worked as a mechanic designing a cooling machine that is still in use today. His passion was iron work, from which he made candle holders, a church cross and a railing for a church in Toronto. John also helped Dutch immigrants find with finding work or settling in their new dwelling. He was also a Boy Scout leader for many years.

Mary was a dedicated wife and mother, volunteering with the Red Cross. After a bad car accident John was left with too many health problems making him incapable of working so Mary went to work at Connaught Lab for 23 years until she took retirement.

Their daughter, Nancy, married J-P Vaillancourt and had three children: Jeff, with two kids Ashley and Olivia; Jenny, her husband John Pare with two kids Gavin and Cassandra; Cynthia, her husband Robert Ross with two kids Bradley and Meagan.

Their son, Richard, married Joan Usher and had three children: Melissa, Meaghan and Mathew.