STUIT, Arie

June 9, 1950 — November 18, 2018

ADRIAAN (ARIE) THEODORUS STUIT, of Kelowna, BC, passed away peacefully at his home on November 18, 2018. He was 68 years old. He was born on June 9, 1950 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Holland).

Arie worked for Holland America Lines prior to emigrating to Edmonton, Canada in 1968. Shortly thereafter he joined the fine dining team of Oliver’s restaurants in Edmonton, AB. It was there he met his first wife/love Angie and together they started their family with their son Alex. In 1971 they transferred to Winnipeg, MB to join the Oliver’s team there. He enjoyed great success in this field eventually assuming the highly regarded role of maître d’ for this fine dining establishment. His second son, Brad, joined his young family in 1972.

In 1974, he and his growing family moved to Surrey B.C. where Arie’s restaurant career culminated with him working as maître d’ for the prestigious Hy’s mansion in Vancouver, BC. His third son, Jeff, was born in 1976.

He and his family moved to Port Coquitlam, BC in the summer of that year and moved into their first family home. It was during this time he decided to switch careers and he joined the car business as a sales professional.  Dave Buck Ford in North Vancouver wisely hired him and in his very first year he was awarded with salesman of the year. Dave Buck quickly realized Arie’s leadership potential and promoted him to sales manager and over the next 14 years Arie won multiple awards with Ford Motor Company for consistent high achievement.  Arie worked in and around the car business for almost 40 years working with Metro Ford in Port Coquitlam, Kicking Horse Ford in Golden, running a successful import/export business and finally Kelowna Ford Lincoln for the last 16 years.  Arie was a true professional who loved the car business and his personality and style which made him the Lincoln brand ambassador will be greatly missed by his many clients and friends at Kelowna Ford Lincoln.

Arie was an avid golfer, enjoyed family vacations and loved to travel. He had an affinity towards animals and over the years shared his time with his dogs Sheba, Duchess and Pudgie as well as his cockatiel “Thor”.

Arie will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters Tonny, Henk, Koos, Rob, Janny, Joop and Paul, his children Alex, Brad and Jeff, his grand-children Jordan, Téa, Christian and Nathaniel. He is predeceased by his father, Hendrik Stuit and mother Pieternella Catharina Stuit-Scheel, brother Frans and sister Nelly.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Springfield Funeral home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. Wake to follow at Cactus Club café, 1575 Banks road, Kelowna, BC.

Messages of condolence can be sent to arietstuit@gmail.com