John Francis Maria Aben
John Aben Sr., 83, passed away peacefully at Hospice Huntsville on Monday, August 12th 2019 in Huntsville, Ontario.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00pm Thursday, August 15th at Mitchell Funeral Home (15 High Street, Huntsville).
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am on Friday, August 16th at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church (12 Centre St. North, Huntsville) with Father Paul Hogan officiating. Interment will follow. Reception will be held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.
John was born in Voorburg, Netherlands on June 18th, 1936, one of six children. In 1960, he immigrated to Canada where he met the love of his life, Wilhelmina Vanderkooy formerly of Den Haag, Netherlands. They were married on November 24th, 1962 in Toronto, Ontario and have been dedicated to each other since. He worked in Toronto as a Supervisor for the United Way in the IT department for six years before moving with his family to Dwight, Ontario in 1976. He purchased Muskoka Printing and Duplicating, later renamed Aben Graphics, establishing a family business that has been operating for over 40 years. He was involved in the Rotary Club where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, and was later a member of Probus. His favourite pastimes included playing cards, golfing, and fishing at his cottages in Ardoch and Kipawa. But perhaps his most favourite pastimes were the times he spent with his grandchildren.
John is survived by and sadly missed by: his wife Wilhelmina (Helmy); his four sons Mike (Deb), John (Natasha), Paul (Cyndi) and Mark (Heather); his sisters Riet, Townny, and Jeanet; and grandchildren Kate, Michael, Matthew, Sean, Nicholas, Christopher, Cameron, Joshua, Benjamin, Jessica and Nolan.
The family of John and Helmy Aben wish to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Harrold and Dr. Kent, the Palliative Care team, and the staff and volunteers at our outstanding Hospice Huntsville. The care and comfort he received helped to ensure John’s peaceful passing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Hospice Huntsville are appreciated.