JAN (JOHN) HERMAN CATHARINUS TEN KATE

March 21, 2022

Jan (John) Herman Catharinus Ten Kate died peacefully, March 21, 2022, in Kincardine, in his 91st year. Predeceased by his loving and caring wife, Maria (Mary) Johanna (nee Van Bussel). Loving father of Maria Riggin (Robin), Catharina Young, and Warner Ten Kate (deceased) (Sue Pinter). Dear Opa of Ben (Sarah), Daniel (Ashley) and Joel Riggin, Alex (Ashley), Ian and Graeme Young, and Rachael (Shawn) and Lauren Ten Kate (Dean). Dear brother of Dieuwke and Dino Ledeboer, and Godard and Monique Ten Kate. Dear brother-in-law of Wilma Van Bussel, Tina and Harry Van Boxmeer, Berny Van Bussel, Tony Smulders, Jim and Cathy Van Bussel, Elizabeth and Jeff Roestenberg, Helmi and John Kaufmann, Helen and Brian McHenry and Joe Czikk. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends. Predeceased by his parents, Harmina (nee Poppinga) and Warner Ten Kate; his granddaughters, Christian Riggin and Laura Young; his brother, Warner Ten Kate; and sister, Gerrie Salome; as well as brothers-in-law, Gerry Van Bussel, Gerry Hilhorst, Jack Van Bussel, Christian Van Bussel and Pieter Salome; and sisters-in-law, Pauline Ten Kate, Catherine Hilhorst, Joanne Smulders and Sharon Czikk. John was born Sept. 3, 1931, in Vollenhove, Overijssel, the Netherlands. He immigrated to Canada in 1954 and ended up in Lucan where he met and married Mary. They eventually moved to Dorchester where they raised their family. He loved playing music and writing orchestral arrangements. He was a member of the militia bands, Hussars and 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment. He had his own band, “The Ambassadors,” and led Dykehoppers band at the Dutch Canadian Club. John was an avid historian and a Second World War buff. He was a wordsmith and right to the end of his life, had a stack of dictionaries in English, Dutch, French and German beside his chair. He was entrepreneurial and co-owned a printing company with his son, Warner. A celebration of his life was held with his immediate family. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of John, are asked to consider the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Kincardine and District (kincardine.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca); arrangements entrusted to the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Ripley. Condolences may be made on-line at www.mackenzieandmccreath.com