passed away at home on June 12, 2021 at age 83 due to complications of pneumonia. Born in Fryslân just before WW2, Joe grew up the youngest of eight siblings and eight step-siblings when the Fopma and de Boer families came together. He met and married Anna (Anneke). Together they had two sons, Nick and Onne. The family of four moved to Ontario. After a long and hard work life Joe and Anna were able to enjoy their retirement at their home in Belwood, overlooking Belwood Lake. An avid sports fan, Joe had been watching the Euro Cup and golfing when he passed away. Joe is survived by his dear wife Anna (Zonneveld) and sons Nick (Donna – deceased) and Onne (Sandra), Nick’s daughters Kori (Jason) and Casie (Tom), his sisters Anne Sietsma (de Boer) and Cobe Hotsma (de Boer). Pre-deceased are his siblings Jeltje, Sibbele, Finne, Roel and Oane. He is much loved and will be missed by the many nieces and nephews in Canada and in The Netherlands. One of many life lessons learned is to always check the bed for chocolates before you get in. Joe will be honoured in a private lake-side ceremony at a later date. Donations can be made to either the Groves Memorial Community Hospital in neighbouring Fergus, Ontario (gmch.ca) or the annual Udder Tournament (@theuddertournament on Facebook) the Udder Tournament is a women’s non-profit recreational hockey tournament that supports a scholarship established in the memory of Donna de Boer. E-transfers can be made to cwhlwinter@gmail.com or cheque to the Caledon Women’s Hockey League with a notation Udder Tournament.
