Obituary of Gilles Verbeem

VERBEEM, Gilles Cornelius Gill Verbeem, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Residence on the Thames at the age of 98. He was born on January 4, 1918 in Kwadendamme, The Netherlands, and is predeceased by his parents Elizebeth (Thijsse) (1968) and Engelbertus "Bert" (1963) Verbeem. He is also predeceased by his beloved wife, Adrienne (2010), and his youngest daughter, Mary Elizebeth "Beth" Caron (2010). Much loved and adored by his daughters Janet (Bev) Doyle, Julie (Gary) Hendsbee, and Paula Brady (Ray Charron), son-in-law Marc Caron as well as seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews. Gill is also survived by sisters, Jacoba Libbrecht (the late Jules), Nellie Rockx (the late Adrian), Mary (Joe) Sevigny, and by his sister-in-law Camilla Verbeem. Predeceased by his siblings Peter (Susie) Verbeem, Adrian (Nora) Verbeem, Ernie Verbeem, John (Simone) Verbeem, Helen (Ross) Gordon, and brother-in-law George DeVogelaere. Gill served in the Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserves from 1942-1945. He was one of seven gun crew members aboard Minesweeper HMS Antares. He also served as a wheelsman on the Tug HMCS Glenbrook. Gill and Adrienne enjoyed ice skating, square dancing, gardening, and travelling together. He worked in the Service Station business for many years, eventually purchasing his own business with partner, Harry Burleigh, known as G. & H. Tire and Service. He retired from there in 1978, then maintained the grounds at McDonald's on St. Clair Street and at Nortown Shopping Centre for a number of years. Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 180 Wellington Street West, Chatham on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Matt Kucharski as celebrant. Interment to follow at St. Anthony Cemetery, Chatham. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to send an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Chatham-Kent Hospice or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com Special thanks to the staff at Residence on the Thames for their loving and compassionate care. <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/160278247" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/160278247">Gilles Verbeem</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user27484248">McKinlay Funeral Homes Ltd.</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>