Obituary for Richard Douglas "Rick" VAN WYNSBERGHE
VAN WYNSBERGHE: Richard Douglas "Rick" of Norwich, formerly of Delhi, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, May 23, 2022, his 69th year.
Rick loved to be outdoors, growing up on family farms and exploring the countryside with his cousins Bob and Dan Van Hooren, and dog Nipper leading the way. Rick’s love for the outdoors was apparent when he joined the Boy Scouts of Canada. He became a master boy scout in 1970 and was selected to travel to Japan in 1971 for the 13th World Jamboree. While in Japan, a typhoon struck and Rick and his troop aided in the local relief effort. Rick attended Delhi District Secondary School, where he excelled in mathematics, woodworking, and machine shop. He also played hockey and football. During his high school years, Rick met his high school sweetheart Kathy Virag. Following high school, Rick took his skill set into the trades and became a tool and die maker, which allowed him to attain employment at the OPG plant in Nanticoke. He worked there until retirement at age 55. From day one, Rick was an irreplaceable and valued employee due to his drive, knowledge, determination, and ingenuity. While at OPG, Rick made lifelong friendships with his crew who became like family to Rick and his family. His friends were by his side right until the end. Rick had many passions, including flying. He was a member of the Simcoe Flying club. He took his first lesson in 1987, and became a certified pilot on June 2, 1988, and took his first long cross-country flight to Sturgeon Falls on a fishing trip with “the boys” in June 1989. Rick also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking, taking yearly trips to Algonquin Park. Rick was an esteemed and valued full lifetime member of the Beaver Meadows Hunt Club of Restoule, Ontario, and used his skills to help create improvements to the camp facilities, hunting grounds and trails. Rick will be missed as a valuable and active member of the Simcoe Lion’s. Rick loved classic rock and oldies music, whether singing in the Lions Club Choir, attending 50s and 60s dances with his late wife Kathy dressed in 50s outfits, or playing along on his beat box with his wife Beth and her family as they played music on their guitars and instruments, Rick always loved a good tune. He possessed the gift of working with his hands. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix, build, or create, whether it be made from wood or metal. A few of Rick’s proud works were his VW Dune Buggy, which he loved to take his grandchildren and children for long rides in, and his recently restored 1972’s Volvo P1800 that he and his wife Beth loved to drive in together down to the beach or around the countryside. Rick had many passions and hobbies, but none of them compared to the love he had for his family and friends. He was happiest when everyone was together making lasting memories and enjoying each other’s company surrounded by good food, drinks, and music. He lived a full, happy life and made a positive impact on so many. If you were to talk to anyone who knew him, they would tell you Rick was the hardest working man they knew, would drop anything he was doing to lend a hand, and was always there when you needed him. He will be greatly missed by all.
Rick was the loving son of Irene Van Wynsberghe of Brantford. Beloved husband of Elizabeth "Beth" Magill whom he married August 6, 2016. Dear father of Ryan & Marcela of Mississauga, Kaela & Travis of Port Dover and step- father of Rob & Chantel Sawdon of Stratford, Cameron Leach & Carrie Crawford of Norwich. Sadly missed by his cherished grandchildren Elizabeth and Bethany and 7 step-grandchildren. Survived by his sister Laurie & John Lalenka of Tillsonburg, mother-in-law Ruby Magill, sisters-in-law Julie & Rick Yates of Ayr, Rhoda & Rick Roesler of Plattsville, Lesley & Jeff Cronmiller of St. Williams, Goddaughter and niece Maria and other loved nieces and nephews. Rick will also be sadly missed by his cousin Bob Van Hooren & Susan, and his many close friends and relatives.
Predeceased by his first wife Kathy Van Wynsberghe (Virag) (August 27, 2009), father Valere Beausaert, step-father Mitch Van Wynsberghe, step-father Albert Blommaert, father-in-law Roy James Magill, brother-in-law Roy Magill Jr., father-in-law Michael Virag I., brother-in-law Michael Lawrence Virag II, sister-in-law Betty Bowyer, cousin Dan Van Hooren, and nephew Connor.
Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Jeffrey W. Glendinning Funeral Home, 36 Front St. Port Rowan.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Simcoe Lions Club or the Friends of Algonquin Park would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences can be posted at www.gffh.ca
Rick loved to be outdoors, growing up on family farms and exploring the countryside with his cousins Bob and Dan Van Hooren, and dog Nipper leading the way. Rick’s love for the outdoors was apparent when he joined the Boy Scouts of Canada. He became a master boy scout in 1970 and was selected to travel to Japan in 1971 for the 13th World Jamboree. While in Japan, a typhoon struck and Rick and his troop aided in the local relief effort. Rick attended Delhi District Secondary School, where he excelled in mathematics, woodworking, and machine shop. He also played hockey and football. During his high school years, Rick met his high school sweetheart Kathy Virag. Following high school, Rick took his skill set into the trades and became a tool and die maker, which allowed him to attain employment at the OPG plant in Nanticoke. He worked there until retirement at age 55. From day one, Rick was an irreplaceable and valued employee due to his drive, knowledge, determination, and ingenuity. While at OPG, Rick made lifelong friendships with his crew who became like family to Rick and his family. His friends were by his side right until the end. Rick had many passions, including flying. He was a member of the Simcoe Flying club. He took his first lesson in 1987, and became a certified pilot on June 2, 1988, and took his first long cross-country flight to Sturgeon Falls on a fishing trip with “the boys” in June 1989. Rick also enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking, taking yearly trips to Algonquin Park. Rick was an esteemed and valued full lifetime member of the Beaver Meadows Hunt Club of Restoule, Ontario, and used his skills to help create improvements to the camp facilities, hunting grounds and trails. Rick will be missed as a valuable and active member of the Simcoe Lion’s. Rick loved classic rock and oldies music, whether singing in the Lions Club Choir, attending 50s and 60s dances with his late wife Kathy dressed in 50s outfits, or playing along on his beat box with his wife Beth and her family as they played music on their guitars and instruments, Rick always loved a good tune. He possessed the gift of working with his hands. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix, build, or create, whether it be made from wood or metal. A few of Rick’s proud works were his VW Dune Buggy, which he loved to take his grandchildren and children for long rides in, and his recently restored 1972’s Volvo P1800 that he and his wife Beth loved to drive in together down to the beach or around the countryside. Rick had many passions and hobbies, but none of them compared to the love he had for his family and friends. He was happiest when everyone was together making lasting memories and enjoying each other’s company surrounded by good food, drinks, and music. He lived a full, happy life and made a positive impact on so many. If you were to talk to anyone who knew him, they would tell you Rick was the hardest working man they knew, would drop anything he was doing to lend a hand, and was always there when you needed him. He will be greatly missed by all.
Rick was the loving son of Irene Van Wynsberghe of Brantford. Beloved husband of Elizabeth "Beth" Magill whom he married August 6, 2016. Dear father of Ryan & Marcela of Mississauga, Kaela & Travis of Port Dover and step- father of Rob & Chantel Sawdon of Stratford, Cameron Leach & Carrie Crawford of Norwich. Sadly missed by his cherished grandchildren Elizabeth and Bethany and 7 step-grandchildren. Survived by his sister Laurie & John Lalenka of Tillsonburg, mother-in-law Ruby Magill, sisters-in-law Julie & Rick Yates of Ayr, Rhoda & Rick Roesler of Plattsville, Lesley & Jeff Cronmiller of St. Williams, Goddaughter and niece Maria and other loved nieces and nephews. Rick will also be sadly missed by his cousin Bob Van Hooren & Susan, and his many close friends and relatives.
Predeceased by his first wife Kathy Van Wynsberghe (Virag) (August 27, 2009), father Valere Beausaert, step-father Mitch Van Wynsberghe, step-father Albert Blommaert, father-in-law Roy James Magill, brother-in-law Roy Magill Jr., father-in-law Michael Virag I., brother-in-law Michael Lawrence Virag II, sister-in-law Betty Bowyer, cousin Dan Van Hooren, and nephew Connor.
Private funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Jeffrey W. Glendinning Funeral Home, 36 Front St. Port Rowan.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Simcoe Lions Club or the Friends of Algonquin Park would be appreciated by the family. Personal condolences can be posted at www.gffh.ca