ROELOFSEN, Arend Willem It is with great loss that the family of Arend Willem Roelofsen announces his passing, peacefully, on Thursday January 4th, 2018 at his home in Eden Home Retirement Residence in his 91st year. Arend is survived by his wife of 66 years Maaike Roelofsen (nee Woudwijk) and his children Dolf (Cathy) Roelofsen, Jake (Brenda) Roelofsen and Renee (Don) Johnstone. Proud Opa to grandchildren, Crystal (Evan) Scott, Shawn Roelofsen, Daniel (Becky) Roelofsen, Katie (Curtis) Archibald, Greg Roelofsen, and Chris (Robyn) Johnstone. Predeceased by grandson Ian Johnstone, loved by his great grandchildren Jack Scott, Ben Scott, Oliver Roelofsen, Eva Roelofsen, Jacob Archibald, Benjamin Archibald, Liam Johnstone and Emily Johnstone. Arend was born in Arnhem, Holland and immigrated to Ormstown Quebec with his new bride Maaike in 1952. Arend and Maaike moved to Lindsay Ontario in 1953 to be closer to family. After taking a job at Brinton Carpets as a bookkeeper Arend and his family lived in Lindsay and Peterborough. Then taking a position with Harding Carpets, Arend and family moved to Collingwood as he built a career in textiles, eventually rising to the position of Plant Manager for Harding Carpets in Guelph. In 1991 he retired. He was an active member of the United Church, and enjoyed the weekly meetings of the Guelph Men’s Club. Arend loved to sing and sang Alto in church choirs, barbershop, and the Guelph Men’s Choir. He was a volunteer secretary treasurer for the Guelph Men’s Choir and for the social committee at Parkside Christian Village during the many happy years he lived there with Maaike. As a passionate golfer he did manage a hole in one at Blue Mountain Golf Course (Collingwood). He enjoyed travel to visit family in Europe, America and in Canada. Arend had special memories from his time in Florida both as a snowbird and board member of the retirement community he enjoyed. Faith and family were major influences in his life. At Arends request cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life will take place at Memory Gardens, Breslau, Ontario at a spring inurnment. Memorial donations in memory of Arend can be made to Eden House Care Facility or organization of your choice.
