BLEIJ, Jan Willem Franciscus “John Bley”

February 16, 1930 — December 20, 2024

John practiced his craft as a skilled chemist and toxicologist. He was a very talented man, curious and seeking knowledge about many things. All of his interests he took to a very deep level. These included photo taking and photography development/chemistry, ham radio, worldwide travel, silversmithing, painting and art show exhibitions, winemaking, fishing in the Dutch “off the pier” style, guitar, reading, woodworking, fruit growing, and horticulture. He enjoyed his many records and CDs of all styles of music. He enjoyed fellowship with his church community in Alberta and BC. He was fluent in English and Dutch and dabbled in speaking German and French.

He demonstrated a lot of courage growing up during WWII as a young tween. He adventured in 1953 to Canada from the Netherlands landing first in Val-D’Or QC, then to the Niagara region, Toronto ON, Sarnia ON, Calgary AB, Strathmore AB, and ended up in Kelowna BC. His last months he spent in Kelowna with his sweetheart Jean at the Sandalwood Retirement Resort surrounded by many who loved him. Many said over the months at Sandlewood that “John was so sweet we will miss him” – he was a charmer.

His kids were inspired and amazed by how many things he could solve and figure out with his hands and intellectually and passed on those skills to the next generation. He is survived by his partner Jean Thorstad; children Roderick (Audrey), Darrell (Lisa), Simone (Keith), and Etienne (Jennifer); grandchildren Robin, Alexa, Ashley, Kiersten, Danielle, Quincy, Saskia, Holly, Katie and Max; and great-grandchildren Logan, Molly, Lucas, Olivia, Sophia, Jackson, Everly, Alma Jun, Dexter, Maxwell, Morgan, and Xavier. He was predeceased by his parents John Willem Franciscus Bleij II and Adriana Maria Cornellia Van Den Bogaerdt

A service will be held at a later date.

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