Obituary of Piet Verheul

Piet Verheul Suddenly, yet peacefully at University Hospital on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, Piet Verheul of London in his 95th year. Beloved husband for 62 years of Betty (Macpherson) Verheul. Loving father of Judy (Kevin) Belbeck of Georgian Bluffs, and Steven of Ottawa. Proud papa of Ryan, Christopher, Brandon (Carrie), Emma and Nicholas. Dear brother of Richard of Burlington and Kryn (Adrie) of Holland. Piet owned and operated Piet Verheul Ltd, Surge Dairy Farm Equipment from 1950-1990. Piet was born in Holland in 1921 and as a teenager, was a vital contributor to the Dutch underground during WW II. He emigrated to Canada soon after the war in 1947, working as a cook on the SS Tabinta on the voyage across the Atlantic so he could have a few bucks in his pocket when he landed. His ambition and hard work led to an opportunity to buy a business several years later. When he retired at age 70, in 1990, he had turned Piet Verheul Ltd, Surge Dairy Farm Equipment, into one of the largest and most successful dealerships in the country. His success was a direct result of his passion--serving his many loyal customers to the best of his ability, whenever they needed him. Piet met Betty Macpherson at the Western Fair at his Surge display in the summer of 1952, and they married in 1953. From a small house and garage in Byron, where the business began, Piet built a warehouse "out in the country" between Byron and Lambeth on Colonel Talbot Rd, then built a house and moved his growing family there in 1967. Piet and Betty loved to travel, and their hard work paid off every year when they qualified for the Surge Dealers trip. He was involved in the local Optimist club, and served as President. When the GST was being introduced, and computers were inevitable, Piet decided it was time to move on to other pursuits, and spent countless hours working in his home office, tracking stocks, keeping up with the news and writing his daily diary. This turned into a memoir which has over 1200 pages, and tells the story of his life. Piet also enjoyed golf, and was a member of Greenhills for many years. His attention to detail, list-making, dry wit, and a low tolerance for what he perceived as "drivel", were a part of him right up to the end. He was fiercely independent, and extremely loyal. After his wife Betty moved to an Alzheimer Care Centre, he dutifully made the journey to see her twice weekly. He was extremely fond of his big orange tabby, Tiger. Piet was truly a one-of-a kind: gruff exterior who was proud of his Dutch heritage, and his business success after "graduating from Grade 7 with flying colours", as he was fond of saying. Underneath that exterior was a heart of gold, courage to face and beat cancer, and unending support of his family. He will be missed terribly by those in his life for whom he was always there, and, it seemed, always would be. At Piet’s request cremation and a private family service will be held at McFarlane & Roberts Funeral Home, 2240 Wharncliffe Road, South, Lambeth 519-652-2020. Interment Woodland Cemetery. Donations to the Alzheimer Society, 435 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N5X 2T1 and the Byron United Church, 420 Boler Road, London, Ontario, N6K 2K5 gratefully acknowledged. On-line condolences are available through www.mcfarlane-roberts.ca.