Obituary of John Roks

John Roks

Peacefully at home on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, John Roks of London and formerly of Delaware in his 93rd year.  Beloved husband of Lenie (nee:  Duynisveld) Roks.  Loving father of Jim and Judy Roks, Cathy Roks and Rick Mullen, Joanne and Tom Melady, Carolyn and Bill Young, Mieke and Jim Wernham, and Annette and Baird Robinson.

Proud grandfather of David, James, Jeff, George, John, Carolyn, Greg, Thomas, Jacob, Kristin,Julie, Lisa, Danielle, Lena and Callum and his 12 great-grandchildren.  Loving brother of Betty de Brouwer, Frank Roks,and Marian Roks.  Dear brother-in-law of Peter Nuiten, Rita Roks, Albert Van Herk, Jo Marchant, Catherine Flegel, Len and Linda Duynisveld, Bill and Elsie Duynisveld and Joe Swinkels.  John is predeceased by his parents Jacob and Johanna Roks and siblings Jo Nuiten, Peter Roks, Nellie Vanos and Jenny Van Herk and his in-laws Peter Vanos, Henk de Brouwer, Paul and Gertrude Duynisveld, Corrie and John Vanderloo, Jerry and Corry Duynisveld, Cees and Bernice Duynisveld, Bill Flegel and Margaret Swinkels.

Relatives and friends may visit at the Delaware Community Centre, 2652 Gideon Drive, Delaware, ON, on Friday, November 30, 2018 from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Cremation has taken place.  Donations to the Parkinson Society of Southwestern Ontario, 4500 Blakie Road, #117, London, Ontario N6L 1G2 gratefully acknowledged.  On-line condolences are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca.

Thank you to the staff of Amica for their excellent care in John's final days.  McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, Lambeth (519) 652-2020 in care of arrangements. 

John grew up on a farm outside of Halsteren in the Netherlands. As a young man,John served in the Dutch army in Indonesia and barely survived a shot by a sniper's bullet; he was awarded the Bronze Cross to recognize his bravery and leadership for his service.

In 1950, John immigrated with his family to Canada where he met and married his one true love, Lenie.  John and Lenie settled on a farm on the Thames river outside of Delaware, where they raised their six children.

John was an active man in Sacred Heart Parish and his community.  He is one of the founding members of St. Wilibrord Credit Union (Now Libro Credit Union) and served for 15 years as a town councilor and reeve of Delaware.

John led a life of courage and curiosity.  Among his passions were reading history, especially books about WW1 and WW11.  As a witness to WW11, he loved to tell stories about his early years.  One of his favourite pastimes was taking road trips with his brother Frank for ice-cream and pie while they checked out the cornfields in the neighboring farms.  He enjoyed travel and visited Israel, Ireland, the UK, Germany, Indonesia and return trips to the Netherlands.  He was always grateful that he lived in Canada, a place where it is possible for his children and grandchildren to go to college and university.

For John, his wife Lenie was the love of his life.  He will be dearly missed by Lenie, his family and friends.