CONSTANTINUS (STAN) ADRIANUS FRANCISCUS ANTONISSEN

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CONSTANTINUS (STAN) ADRIANUS FRANCISCUS ANTONISSEN Peacefully, at Bethesda Place, Steinbach, on February 1, 2009, Stan passed away in the arms of his loving family. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Maria, son Lou (Debbie) Antonissen, daughter Rita (David) Mack, daughter Audrey (Bernie) Brandt, and his seven grandchildren Frans and Jennifer (Neil) Antonissen, Nathan and Stephen Mack, Simon (Rheanne), Jillian (Ryan) and Adam Brandt. He is also survived by his sister Nel Geurts of the Netherlands, his brother Frans (Edna) Antonissen of Victoria, BC, sisters-in-law Jacqueline (Rene) Wenselears, and Willy de Kanter, both of Belgium, brother-in-law Paul (Hanny) de Kanter of the Netherlands, brother-in-law John van Ryswyk of Dryden, ON, and many nieces and nephews. Stan was predeceased by his parents, Marie and Louis Antonissen, his sisters Thea Pelikys and Kitty van Ryswyk, parents-in-law Marie and Antoon de Kanter, brothers-in-law John Pelikys, Piet Geurts, Jan de Kanter and Francois de Feyter. Stan was born on April 24, 1926 in Breda, the Netherlands, where he received his high school diploma and business courses. He was employed as an accountant by HKI, a company which produced artificial silk. Towards the end of the Second World War, he joined the Dutch Marine Corps, trained in North Carolina and served in Indonesia as a medic from 1945-1948. After the war Stan returned to Breda where he met his future bride Maria (Ria). They were married on August 24, 1953. As newlyweds, they joined many other Dutch immigrants who came to make a new life in Canada. They arrived by ship at Pier 21 in Halifax, and traveled by train to Portage la Prairie, MB looking forward to new opportunities. They made their home in Portage for 12 years where their three children were born. He worked for the local Manitoba Dairy Poultry Co-op. In 1965, when he became manager of the hatchery division, the family moved to Winnipeg. Stan worked for the co-op for 25 years. His dream was realized in 1975 when they bought a poultry farm near Blumenort raising broilers. Stan and Maria enjoyed 14 years of farming and country living before he became seriously ill and they moved into Steinbach. During their retirement years they were still able to take several trips to Holland and BC to be with family. Stan loved opera and classical music. All those who knew him appreciated his wry sense of humour, his strong opinions and his ability to express himself. His forthright nature was accompanied by a fierce sense of pride, a love for Canada and the Canadian way. His passion for politics led him to be very active in the Liberal Party. His participation in many organizations reflected his commitment to helping his fellow man. Most important to him was his wife and family. He was always interested in the lives of his children and grandchildren and was a very proud and supportive father and Opa. The last few years of his life were challenging as Stan's health declined. The family would like to thank Dr. G. Lemoine of Ste. Anne and Drs. A. MicFlickier and D. Scurrah of Winnipeg for many years of care and the dedicated staff at Bethesda Place where he resided for the past year. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Christ Our Saviour Catholic Church, 365 Loewen Blvd. Steinbach, with luncheon to follow. A visitation with the family will be held on Friday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Omega Funeral Home, Royal Road South and Dufferin in Portage la Prairie. A private burial service at Hillside Cemetery will occur at a later date. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CancerCare Manitoba or to the Bethesda Foundation, Steinbach, MB Condolences may be sent to the family c/o Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Road South, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, R1N 1T8 or friends may leave a message of sympathy on our web site www.omegafuneralhome.com Dedicated to those we serve .

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 04, 2009