VONK MR. ANTONIUS JOSEPHUS “TONY” VONK, beloved husband of Mrs. Johanna Vonk of Lethbridge, passed away peacefully at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at the age of 77 years. Tony was born on February 22, 1933 in Gemert N, BR., The Netherlands. His father was a wooden shoe maker and they lived in the shadow of a windmill.
Tony grew up in the middle of the second World War, which left a lifelong impression on him. At a very young age he joined the brothers of Our Lady of Lourdes. He worked as a certified nurse in several of their mental institutions. He came to Canada in 1960 and worked on the Lourdes farm in Lethbridge and in Nelson, B.C. Later he got his journeyman’s certificates as an electrician and electrical mechanic. He worked for Hagan Electric for more than twenty two years. Tony was very involved in church activities, the Knights of Columbus, Camp Columbus, Block Parents, Catholic Charities Clothes Bank and was involved in the development of the new passenger bridge to the west side. Tony is survived by his wife Johanna, sons Willie and Jamie (Michelle) of Lethbridge, six grandchildren; Elizabeth and Allison Vonk, Matthew, Blake and Mason Gourley and Jillian Vonk and siblings Harrie Vonk, Nellie Van den Broek, Corrie (Mies) DeGroot, Gerda (Harrie) Becks, Maria (Bow) Ramakers and Annie (Mout) Vermeulen, brother-in-law Hein and sister-in-law Marietje all of Holland. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Mich and brother Sjef. A Prayer Service will be held at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Boulevard West, Lethbridge on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH on Friday, October 22, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. with Reverend Fernanda Genogaling Celebrant. Interment to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Martha’s Building Fund, 355 Columbia Boulevard West, Lethbridge T1K 5Y8. Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca