Tribute

Adrien Wiebren de Jong passed away peacefully on May 2, 2023 at the age of 88 years old. Adrien was born on July 30, 1934 in Zwaagewesteinde, Friesland, the Netherlands. He was the oldest boy in a family of four boys and eight girls. He emigrated with his family to Canada in 1949 and eventually settled in Edmonton, Alberta. He married his first wife Corry (Deys) there and had four children. In 1968 he moved his family to Abbotsford, and became an agent for Sun Life Assurance Company, and held the title of manager until he retired. He is predeceased by his first wife, Corry and his second wife,Rhea (Bakker), four sisters, four brothers and one stepdaughter. He is survived by his four children ; Martin, Peter (Dawne), Maxine, Dave (Chris), and his step-children; Gina, Jim (Kim) and his sponsored daughter Mai, and 19 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dad had a love for music, as long as it was classical, and he loved playing the pipe organ. He studied the pipe organ and learned how to install and fix pipe organs in churches. He also enjoyed many winter vacations with Rhea in Mexico, and enjoyed helping the local people there. Dad (Pake) was proud of his family’s Friesland heritage and enjoyed sharing stories of the old country.