We Remember

OOYEVAAR, Jacobus Adrianus “Joe”

May 6, 1931 — October 26, 2022

Joe Ooyevaar passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 26, 2022, at the age of 91 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Nellie; daughters Remona (Mick) MacKay, Teresa Ooyevaar and sons Michael, David and Patrick Ooyevaar; 4 grandchildren, Alix (Andrew Strain) MacKay, McKenzie (Alexander) Romanow, Max (Lisa McAdam) MacKay and Hunter Brett;  2 great-grandchildren, Eva and Liam Strain; brother, Gerard (Corrie) Ooyevaar;  sisters, Rie (Arie) Kraakman, Alie (Jan) Dekker, Tinie Ruiter, Hanny DeJong; and sister-in-law Jeanne. Predeceased by his parents; brothers, Arie and Henk; sister-in-law Rie; and brothers-in-law Nico DeJong and Jan Ruiter.

Joe was born in Warmenhuizen, Holland on May 6, 1931. He immigrated on his own to Vancouver, B.C. in 1954, leaving behind his parents and seven siblings. Chance encounters resulted in Joe settling in Williams Lake to start his career as a carpenter, eventually opening his own construction business and building supply centre together with partners. Joe met Nellie in Vernon in 1955 through an acquaintance of her parents. They married on a wintery day in February 1957, cut their honeymoon short, used the money to buy a washing machine, tied it down in the pickup and happily went home to Williams Lake to the cozy little one-bedroom cabin that Joe built.  He went on to build many significant buildings in Williams Lake and the surrounding Cariboo region, a church, schools, a cabaret, government offices, townhouses and a long-term care facility.

After his many years in business, raising a family of five children, and building two more homes for the expanding family, Nellie & Joe retired to Okanagan Centre in 1981. There they spent many happy years together with children, grandchildren, friends and family by the lake in the last home built by Joe. Together they led a very active life practicing Tai Chi, hiking, biking, skiing, gardening and Joe making his “famous” homemade wine. They enjoyed traveling and visiting countries all over the world, including China, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom. He was involved in his church community, Kiwanis, the Balmoral Resort community, and helped friends, family and neighbours with small building projects.  Joe gained the nickname “Mr. 100%” during his last years at Balmoral by unfailingly declaring that is how he felt when asked about his health.  He will always be remembered for being a true gentleman in every sense of the word.

Joe will be dearly missed and memories of him will be cherished forever.

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 7, 2022, at 10:00 am, at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, dnoations may be made to The Southern Interior Cancer Centre, or to the BC Alzheimer Society.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

Service
Monday, November 7, 2022, at 10:00 am

Location
Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

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The Southern Interior Cancer Centre or BC Alzheimer Society Link: www.bccancer.bc.ca, www.alzheimer.ca/bc/en

 


Service Information

Service Details


The service for OOYEVAAR, Jacobus Adrianus “Joe” is scheduled for Monday, November 7, 2022, at 10:00 am. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC

Phone:

Special Requests:

None.

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Condolences

  • Pat says:
    November 3, 2022 at 11:24 am

    Condolences Nellie to you and your Family have missed seeing you both walking by each day,
    Joe was a wonderful help to me many times, in the past years could not wish for nicer neighbors
    Blessings to you all
    R_I_P >>>>Joe
    Pat #88 Balmoral,

    Reply
    • Donna Achtem says:
      November 7, 2022 at 5:23 pm

      Nellie and Family
      I met Joe through Nurse Next Door. It was a pleasure getting to know Joe. He had many wonderful memories that he shared with me. It was a pleasure knowing Joe.

      Reply
  • laura wittebolle says:
    November 3, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    Nellie–My condolences on your loss. I will remember joe for his kind and happy ways. I will miss our daily waves as i passed your back patio this year.
    your neighbor at #98–Laura

    Reply
  • Lia Dol-van Westen says:
    November 4, 2022 at 5:43 am

    Lieve Nellie, Ik condoleer je met het verlies van Jaap.. . Hoop dat je troost kan vinden, dat hij nu gelukkig is..
    . Wens dat je er samen met de kinderen een mooi afscheid van kan maken. Ik leef met je mee, heel veel sterkte..Lia, Spierdijk/ Holland

    Reply
  • Erwin Ruiter says:
    November 7, 2022 at 10:02 am

    Our dearest and deepest sympathy to the family!
    Erwin Ruiter & Dominique
    Lara(13) David(10) And Adam(3)

    Reply
  • Ruth en Ben says:
    November 7, 2022 at 10:18 am

    Dear Nelly, Ruth and I send condolences for the loss of your husband Joe and we will remember him for his contributions to our beautiful relationship together for so many beautiful years. We love you. Ben

    Reply
  • Ted (Dick) Vander Gulik says:
    November 7, 2022 at 11:11 am

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you for the livestream allowing us to share in the service. It was a beautiful celebration of life for Uncle Joe.
    Fondly, Ted and Marian
    Strathmore. AB

    Reply
  • Cheryl Perrett says:
    April 12, 2023 at 11:17 pm

    Sending heartfelt condolences to all the family. So sorry to hear of your loss.
    Cheryl and Dan Perrett

    Reply

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Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

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I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

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