WILLIAM VAN GINKEL

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WILLIAM VAN GINKEL (Brother Nicolaas) Born in Eindhoven Netherlands, November 13, 1924; died February 16, 2001, Dongen Netherlands. He was predeceased by his parents, Johanna and Peter Van Ginkel; sister Trudy (Joe) and brother John (Jane), sister Anny, brother Peter, and brother-in-law Joe Lodewyks. He leaves behind his brothers and sisters, Catherina, Frank (Juliette), Mary (Gerry), Gus (Josie), Gerry (Blanche), brother-in-law Joe De Beer, Tony (Rosemary), Elsy (John) and many nieces and nephews. William offered his life to the religious order Brothers of Our Lady of Lourdes. He made his vows in 1942. In 1949 he volunteered to start a mission on the island of Curacau. He worked 36 years building a correctional institute for juveniles and taught them trades. He later brought missionaries, and built schools, colleges, and senior personal care homes. In 1967 he was highly honoured by the Antillen Government for outstanding work. In 1985 he came to Calgary, AB to do pastoral work. In 1995 he became ill and was transferred to Dongen in the Netherlands where he spent his last peaceful time. A memorial mass will be celebrated on March 3 at 10:00 a.m. Msgr. Stan Jaworski presiding at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 4888 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to any mission.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 01, 2001