In Loving Memory of

Gerrit Van Vliet

Jul 14, 1936 - Oct 13, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerrit (Gerry van Vliet) of St Albert, AB on Sunday October 13, 2024 at the age of 88 at Shepherds Care Kensington.

Gerry was born July 14, 1936 in Waarder, Netherlands. He came from a family of 9 children; he had 4 brothers and 4 sisters. After grade 6 he attended a trade school for 2 years in Gouda and at age 15 started working in his dad’s electrical shop. He was active in soccer, speed skating and played the horn in a brass band. At age 20 he served in the army for 21 months where he became a sergeant. It is during that time where he met Tina. They married July 1 1959 and arrived in Canada July 27,1959. Three days later the train stopped in Edmonton at 3:00 pm and at 4:30 pm Gerry started working as a janitor at the CIL plant. Soon after he went back to school in Calgary and Edmonton for his electrical ticket and worked as an electrician in various places until 1972. For the remainder of his career he worked as an electrical engineering instructor at NAIT until his retirement in July of 1995. He and Tina enjoyed their many trips back to Holland to visit family and their trips to Hawaii and across Canada. He was known for his generosity, creativity, analytical mind, humour, musical inclination, love of nature and altruism. He enjoyed playing the organ, doing Sudoku and making puzzles. His last few years with Parkinsons made puzzles more challenging but he made it work with larger puzzle pieces. He and his wife Tina enjoyed doing outreach with their church and visited many people over the years. Gerry enjoyed his visits with his grandchildren and his great grandchildren and had many of their drawings hung up on the walls. He was so happy to be able to celebrate his 88th birthday this past July with friends and family and over joyed with the many cards he received. He lived a rich life of love, faith and devotion.

We would like to thank the staff at Shepherds Care Kensington for their loving care in his last year of life.

Gerry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Tina. His 3 sisters Jaantje, Janny and Klara. His 2 daughters Desiree (Curt) of Okotoks and Yolanda (Martyn) of St. Albert. He also leaves behind his 2 grandchildren Alena (Tim) and Shane (Kristin) both of Okotoks and his Great grandchildren Amelia, Sarah and Hannah He was predeceased by brothers Leendert, Bep, Arie and Bas and his sister Machteld.

You are invited to attend the graveside service at Westlawn cemetery at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 7, 2024. A Celebration of his Life will follow on Saturday December 7, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Christian Reformed Church, 10956- 96 street, Edmonton. A reception will follow.

Flowers graciously declined. If desired, please consider a donation to Parkinson Association of Alberta or a charity of your choice

Arrangements entrusted to Foster & McGarvey St. Albert Funeral Home.