Born: Su 23 Jun 1940 in Kollum, Friesland
Father: Siebe HOEKSTRA Spouse: Audrey TABAK 2 Children (living)
Wedding pic 1962 and 2009 pic ===>> |
|
|
Allan (Al) was born in Kollum, Friesland, The Netherlands on Su 23 Jun 1940 and immigrated to Canada in 1952 at age 12. He was mostly schooled there so lacked the heavy Frisian accent of his 2 older sibs. He lived in Port Alberni, BC, for more than 60 years, working at electric power company BC Hydro for over 30 of those. He was an active member of his church (1st CRC, later renamed), often in leadership, loved sports (playing and watching) and spending quality time with his family, both immediate and extended. In his later years he especially loved being with his grandkids. He loved playing tennis and was somewhat of a perfectionist in that and most other things he did.
He retired in 2006? [65yo] and enjoyed hobbies like pool, bocce ball, hiking, playing the organ, watching sports, doing genealogical research, attending church functions and especially socializing with friends and family. In fall 2013 he and Audrey moved to Chilliwack, buying a house in a development built on First Nations land with a 100-year lease. Moving off Vancouver Island and onto the mainland made visiting his kids and grandkids easier (in Chilliwack and Everett, WA) i.e. no ferry ride needed.
After suffering from heart issues, Al went to be with his Lord on Mo 30 Oct 2017 at 77 years of age (he lived 4,036 weeks and 1 day). As his obituary notes (see below link), Al is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Audrey; daughters Elaine (Jim) JENKINS, Judy (Steve) BROUWER; grandchildren Megan, Sarah, Adrianna, Nathan and Sophie; siblings Jane DYKSTRA, Alice VISSIA (Theo) and sister-in-law Rinnie HOEKSTRA. A memorial service was held at Cornerstone CRC of Chilliwack, 9800 McNaught Rd. on Tu 7 Nov 2017 at 2pm.
We missed the memorial service but Jim/Elaine's dau Sarah sent us a link allowing us to watch the video (Pastor Bill VEENSTRA). Very nice, Sophie and Megan sang, then Alice spoke. Alice tearfully remembered many sweet times in their youth e.g. she snuck to Al's school and he (and teacher) welcomed her to sit with him for the rest of day (some bros would say no-way, but not sweet Al). He treated Alice special til Audrey came along (gradeschool!? love at 1st sight, neither dated anyone else), then Alice said 'his little sis was 'chopped liver' :-) i.e. not mean, just not as much time for her). Alice remembered a gift (soccer ball) given to her just before their 1951 departure for Canada; her 'sports nut' bros were playing w/it on deck and, you guessed it, it was lost overboard. Just in the last few years Al replaced it with a 'sorry about that' note! Alice fondly remembered the 1985 trip to SF the 4 of them took (to visit us there at Foster City, many tourism things, Raid Over Moscow video game, foam sleeping rolls, special times). Then Elaine/Judy spoke; both noted Al's perfectionist nature, how he LOVED tennis and all sports, in fact Judy said his priorities were 1 God 2 Family 3 Sports (not always in that order, like when he stayed home from church one Sunday to watch the big intl playoff 2010?, he always rooted for fave teams. Very social, he used to go with Audrey to town (she cringed) and talk with everyone, since he knew most everyone, even in hospice he was friendly to all, would say 'welcome to room 309' to many roommates and visitors. He LOVED music and played the organ very well (as did Audrey, who also often played at church). Pastor Bill said Al was 1) relational (gave back a stuffy [stuffed animal] given to him by a gson, treasured for years, on his PC, but returned it recently 'for safe keeping' (remembered little details related to the relationship) 2) a person of conviction (initially worked driving bread delivery truck, then a job came open (in paper) at BC Hydro, Al applied, they asked it he could start in 1 week, he said no, my current employer needs (deserves) 2 weeks, they give him the new job anyway (start in 2 wks) 3) treated all people with respect and taught his daughters to do the same, a key lesson.
We have many memories of Al and family. He was always on top of the best deals in audio electronics and many other things. Both he and Audrey enjoyed playing the organ; had one in their living room. They always had us over for dinner when we were visiting in town, very hospitable (and GOOD food, they went all out for us). Their home was always immaculate, as all the sibs' were. We sometimes took a nice walk on the trail behind their home in Port Alberni (3632 Porritt Place) or played a game e.g. pool on his downstairs pool table or bocce in the beautiful backyard. But Al also enjoyed talking about all sorts of topics. In later years they faithfully made the daily walk along the river by the inlet. After High School, Al initially worked driving a bread delivery truck, but then a job came open (in paper) at BC Hydro. He got that job, as noted above, and later got an office job with BC Hydro, but often travelled related to it, sometimes in small planes in treacherous weather to remote areas. He once visited Canada's E coast on vacation and I remember he said they were some of the friendliest people he'd ever met, not wealthy but very open to visitors. In 1985 Al/Audrey and Theo/Alice came to visit us in Foster City, CA. We enjoyed visiting many tourist sites together, talking and even playing video games. His Christian committment was clearly visible to us, also that he loved and cared deeply for his family. Family get-togethers were frequent in Port Alberni since Al's 3 sibs and families also lived there. He talked alot about his old friend (from the old country) Oebele De BOER. He enjoyed going to hear travelling musical singing groups, and I think Oebele came from the Netherlands as a singer in one of those. We never got a visit from them in AZ, but not for lack of offering to host them. Al/A made countless trips to see their kids in Everett and Chilliwack (before moving to latter), always a top priority.
More stories ...
