OOSTERLEE, Bastiaan

Bastiaan Oosterlee,

“Bas” “Opa”

1927 – 2020

It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing that Bastiaan Oosterlee, age 93, passed away peacefully July 4th, 2020 in Lethbridge, AB.

Bas was born March 1st, 1927 in Pernis, Netherlands and very proud of his Dutch heritage. Bas married the love of his life, Maartje Hoogwerf, (Mary), May 4, 1949. Six weeks later they immigrated to Canada to begin a new and very different life. In 1958 Bas and Mary became proud Canadian Citizens. Together they were blessed with four sons, John, Piet, Edd and Clare, then resulting in nine grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Bas and Mary lived in Vulcan, Blackie, Longview and Pincher Creek for 43 years then moved to Lethbridge where they resided in the West Highlands seniors’ complex then onto Legacy Lodge.

As a young boy in Holland, Bas worked in his family’s market gardens. For enjoyment he played in a bugle band in Pernis. Coming to Canada Bas worked on various farms in the Vulcan and the Blackie area. Later he switched to the Petroleum industry where he worked at the Hartell Refinery until further moving to Shell Waterton. Bas worked tirelessly to ensure that his family was well cared for. Bas always enjoyed woodworking and building many projects. He enjoyed playing the accordion and played many different sized harmonicas’ which were self-taught. He was a true joy to listen to. Bas enjoyed camping with his family and traveling around the world. They spent 13 years wintering in Mesa, Arizona where they enjoyed meeting people and even joining a barbershop harmonica group. Opa enjoyed meeting and talking to new people. He would always greet you with his friendly smile. He would never forget your face and always remember your name! We were amazed and astonished! Opa had a great memory!

Bas Oosterlee is survived by, sons, Pieter (Della) Oosterlee of Lethbridge, and Clare (Dara) Oosterlee, of Calgary, nine grandchildren, Sandra (Lindsay) Young, Tina (Joe) Oosterlee-White, Debbie (John) Lantican, Jodi Oosterlee, Todd (Michelle) Oosterlee, Nicholas (Jess) Oosterlee, Kristofer (Carolyn) Oosterlee, Angela Oosterlee and Curtis Oosterlee; his 21 great grandchildren, Colton, Alex, Kyle, Rayna, Abby, Zane, Jade, Ayesha, Jared, Justin, Jude, Nia, Willow, Austin, Josh, Elizabeth, James, Isaac, Simon, Logan and Lucas one great-great grandchild, Aryia.

Bas was predeceased by his wife Mary, (March 2020), their sons, Leonard (John) Oosterlee and Bastiaan (Edward) Oosterlee, daughter-in-law Cherie Oosterlee, his parents, Pieter and Elizabeth Oosterlee.

Our dad, Opa, and best friend will be forever loved & missed.

Welterusten…

This is a scripture that was given to Bas & Mary for a wedding plaque:

“And behold I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest.” Genesis 28-15

Bas’s family would like to extend a thank you to all the Angels at Legacy Lodge for all the love and care showed to him over the years.

There will be no service held at this time. A memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions for the late Bas Oosterlee may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Society at 306, 10430, 61 Ave NW, Edmonton, Ab. T6H 2L3 or to the Canadian Red Cross, 335 Columbia Blvd W. Lethbridge, Ab. T1K 5Y8.

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.