It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of John Roskam. John passed away with family by his side after a brief illness at Orillia Soldier's Memorial Hospital on Saturday, September 21st, 2024 in his 94th year. He was predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Shirley May (nee Totten) Roskam in 2011. John led a long and adventure-filled life, and was at his happiest in the great outdoors, surrounded by nature.
He will be dearly missed by his son, Darren, and loving daughter Tanya (Todd) Ewing and his cherished grand-daughter Piper. John was predeceased by his siblings, brothers Dick and Peter and sister Truus, also his parents Johan and Gertrude Roskam. John will be fondly remembered by his many nieces and nephews, along with his camping and ski buddies.
John came from Hilversum, the Netherlands, as a young man in his twenties to Canada, for his great love of the outdoors. For the parks and the lakes, primarily, Algonquin. He met our beautiful mother in Orillia, and built the home of his dreams for his family. The house was designed and constructed by his own hands, a qualified building inspector. But his main profession was tool & die for over 40 years in Canada. John worked for General Electric, Black & Decker, Seaburn and KFW, after graduating from his trade-school with the highest honours from the Netherlands. Also a technical teacher in the war, ranking up to a Sargeant in Holland. John was very passionate about his job, a perfectionist by nature, and it showed in everything he did in life. An expert downhill skier and Masters ski racer, he had many medals to show for his over 50 years of skiing, many visits enjoyed on the hills with his wife, daughter and grand-daughter. John also took up windsurfing, and enjoyed many outings on Simcoe and Lake Couchiching, fun-filled regattas and was a member of the local club. Camping interior in Algonquin, along with countless hunting and fishing trips up North, an avid canoe-tripper with hundreds of solo trips and many with family by his side. A lifetime member of the Ontario Fish & Wildlife, Hunters and Outdoors member. A long-time ski member at Horseshoe Resort and Mount St. Louis Ski resort, finishing his alpine ski years at the young age of 85, affectionately know as “the Dutchman”.
His family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Orillia Soldier's Memorial Hospital, along with family doctors Dr. Reid, Dr. Fagan and Dr. Julie Gallagher and staff for their wonderful care over the years.
Cremation has occurred and the Memorial service is entrusted to Mundell's Funeral Home, 79 West Street North, Orillia, Ontario on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations for a Memorial bench for their parents in one of their favourite local parks. Donations can be made through Mundell Funeral Home.
In the words of our father's favourite artist, Gordon Lightfoot “If you could read my mind, love, what a tale my thoughts could tell...” Forever and a day in our hearts.