Kees Jan “John” Bos

Kees Jan “John” Bos passed away at Clinton Public Hospital on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. He was in his 91st year. 

 

John is survived by his wife Gerrie (née Kuiper) and children Brenda (Isaac) Thiessen, John (Tina) Bos, Wayne (Linda) Bos and Audrey Bos. He will be lovingly remembered by 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. 

 

John was the brother of Neel van Os, Piet, Hennie van Egmond, Art and Arie. He was predeceased by his parents Hendrik and Teuntje (née de Graaf), siblings Tinus, Henk, Teun Hoogendorn, Joop and grandson Bradley Bos.

 

John was born in Wassenaar, the Netherlands, on Oct. 1, 1932.  He was part of a large farming family (nine siblings) and he chose to move to Canada after World War II at the age of 19. After travelling the country for various jobs, including logging in Northern Ontario, he finally settled on a farm near Walton, where he began to establish his dairy herd.

 

John met Gerrie in the fall of 1963 and married her 10 months later. Their four children arrived within the next five years. A move to a farm just west of Auburn in 1975 allowed him to save his back by using a milking parlour. He was an avid farmer who loved the land, and loved his cows. 

 

When the grandchildren came along, he enjoyed taking them out on the tractors with him, and teaching them to love the land as well. 

 

He had the ability to talk to anyone about anything, and had the gift of putting people at ease. 

 

John was a life-long member of Blyth Christian Reformed Church, and lived a peaceful life, content to find strength in the Lord when things got difficult. His wisdom, easy laugh and loving personality will be sadly missed, but warmly remembered, in the years to come.

 

Visitation was held at Blyth Christian Reformed Church, on Friday, March 17. The funeral service was held on Saturday, March 18. Spring interment will be at Blyth Union Cemetery. 

 

As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations to the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated. 

 

Messages of condolence for the Bos family are welcome at www.falconerfuneralhomes.com.