John Van Kessel

John Van Kessel was born in Holland on February 10, 1927. He was the eldest of 10 children. When still a child his family was threatened by the Germans and they had to flee their home for their safety. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Dutch Army. After basic training he was sent to Indonesia as a peacekeeper and was stationed there for 2 ½ years. He was the driver for his battalion commander while there, and experienced heavy fighting that changed him forever. 

After serving his term in the Dutch Army, John immigrated to Canada. He married Diane on August 22, 1953. A year later they purchased a home in Uxbridge where they enjoyed 57 years of marriage and raised their children, seven sons and one daughter.

He worked in the General Motors plant in Oshawa for 32 ½ years. After that he took training in Guelph for his refrigeration licence and became the manager of the Uxbridge Arena. He worked there until he was well into his 70’s. 

John was very active in the Uxbridge Minor Hockey community and travelled to Denmark with the team. He enjoyed hockey, farming, boating, and travelling the world. He built two houseboats and enjoyed travelling on them throughout the Trent-Severn Waterways with his family. 

His family described him as a very generous, giving, kind, and hardworking man that did so much for his family and community. If anyone needed assistance, he was there for them; be it our farming community, school or town. He also made several things for the school and church he attended.

John died on November 15, 2010, at the age of 83. There is a memorial stone outside the Uxbridge Arena with his name on it. He is buried in the Uxbridge Catholic Cemetery on Cemetery Road. 

We thank him for his service.

We will remember them. 

NM