Jan Mertens of Alliston passed on October 10, 2023 at the age of 82. Dearly beloved husband (of 54 years) of Anne, and much-loved brother of Wim Schweer (Ann, Jon & Jodee) and Pat Strazdinis & Brooke (Australia). Jan is survived by his family in Spain, Henk Castens (Djoke), and in the Netherlands Wil Nieboer (Henk), Maarten Zier (Hettie) and Marianne VanTholen (Henk). He will also be missed by his dear friends Jeff Wirz and Deanna Marchione.
Born in Dutch East Indies just before the start of WW2, and after war camp time, Jan’s formative years in Indonesia were spent enjoying holidaying & traveling to TRETES, his fun summer holiday town in East Java. He then received his higher education in the Netherlands, living initially with his [paternal] family in Amsterdam. He also met at that time that girl, his future wife Anne. Education sent him for 2 years to the Zeevaards School in Groningen. This was followed by 2 years as Ship Engineer for the Royal InterOcean Lines, where he was so fortunate in travelling/cruising from Japan, via Indonesia to Australia and via South Africa to South America and back. Those were his greatest working “holidays” ever. Upon returning to Holland, he met up with that girlfriend and married her (1969) just before emigrating to Canada. The two built a life first in Mississauga and moved then to Adjala. From there, he spread his wings. He became VP (Canada), distribution for Capital EMI records. With the loving support of his wife, he created LEO INDUSTRIES (CANADA), from where he retired to their estate in Adjala. They continued living in retirement there until a series of events forced a move permanently to Alliston, Ontario. Due to medical issues and after a short stay at Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Jan passed peacefully.
A Celebration of Jan’s life will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, from 1:30 pm-3:30 pm. Friends and family will gather together to share their stories of him at the Good Samaritan Retirement Lodge,(481 Victoria St E, Alliston). Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.
Service
Celebration of Life
Good Samaritan Retirement Lodge
481 Victoria Street East, Alliston, Ontario
Sunday October 29, 2023
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Patricia Wilhelmine Strazdinis says
We didn’t get a chance to say good bye to you Janus but wherever you are you will always be in our hearts and our thoughts – you were just too big a personality to ever forget. We’re so glad that we had the opportunity to know you for the past 20 years.
Rest in Peace Janus
Trish and Linda (Mertens)
h. van Tholen says
Via Wil & Henk en Maarten en later via Wim hebben wij het afgelopen jaar meebeleefd wat Jan en Annelies allemaal hebben moeten doorstaan. Al was het kontakt tussen ons in de loop der tijd door de afstand schaars geworden, toch bleven ze mij altijd dierbaar.
Wij wensen Annelies, Wim & Ann en overige nabestaanden en vrienden van Jan heel veel sterkte toe in deze moeilijke tijd.
Veel liefs,
Henk en Marianne van Tholen
Wil Nieboer-Zier says
Met verdriet heb ik de laatste maanden van Jan gevolgd. Met dank aan Wim, die ons heeft laten meeleven.
Jan heeft de 3 HBS jaren bij ons in Amsterdam gewoond en daarom heeft hij altijd een plekje in mijn hart gehouden.
Wij wensen Annelies en iedereen die Jan moet missen veel sterkte.
Veel liefs.
Henk en Wil Nieboer-Zier
The Derraugh Family says
Our deepest condolences to Anne and the rest of Jan’s family. We sure had some good laughs over the years. RIP Jan.
Ron and Patricia Olenroot says
Sending Anna our most heartfelt sympathy and we wish Anna strength and comfort during this dark time.
We will forever remember the lovely memories.
MICHAEL, MONICA, STEPHEN FAHEY says
Sincere sympathy to Wim, Ann, Jonathan, Jodee and all of Jan’s family and friends on Jan’s passing. May he rest in peace.