Martin (Peter) Van Buren Obituary
Martin “Peter” Van Buren
March 21, 1920 – April 6, 2023
VAN BUREN; Martin Peter “Peter”- Passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 6, 2023 at Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital in his 104th year. Peter was born in the Netherlands on March 21, 1920 and is the son of the Late Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Van Buren. Beloved husband of the late Vera (nee Partridge, 1986). Loving father of Kim Smit (late Peter). Cherished grandpa to Ryan (Hana). Peter will be sadly missed by many other relatives and friends.
Peter was an engineer in World War II, serving with the R.C.A.F while working on the Lancaster bombers, and many other types of aircrafts. He was a “jack of all trades” and could do anything; plumbing, electrical, carpentry, you name it, he could do it. When his daughter moved into her new house, the stairs to the basement were not up to his standards, so he made them wider and stronger. They are still going strong today. If it needed fixing, he could and would fix it.
Peter travelled and lived all over North America, Simcoe, Hamilton, Saskatchewan and a lot of small towns in Southern Ontario. He loved to drive, anywhere and everywhere. If you needed a ride, he would always take you. No matter who you were, old friend or new friend, he could make friends with any and every one, old, young, rich, poor and everyone in between. His mind has always been sharp, telling stories for everything from the 1930’s on up to 2023. Word puzzles were always a favorite, find a word, crosstics, and especially crosswords. He loved to tinker, like building sheds, or taking apart electric engines for scrap. Peter loved to work with his hands.
He loved his food, if you cooked it for him, he would eat it. Always willing to try new dishes. We gave him purple potatoes once, he marveled at the fact that he had never seen purple potatoes. He loved them! Peter always led by example, a role model to everyone and was always kind and very patient.
He loved any and all animals. We always had pets; cats, dogs, he loved them all. Peter always went out of his way to pet a cat or dog.
Family always came first, if we needed him, he was always there.
Friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023 from 5:00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. at the Ferris Funeral Home, 214 Norfolk St. S., Simcoe. (519-426-1314). Where the service will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Marc Bertrand officiating. Interment to follow at Union United Church Cemetery in Union, ON. If so desired, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.