Henk Nicolas Vandenakker

On Monday, March 20, 2023 (the Feast of St. Joseph) Henk peacefully passed from this life at Carleton Lodge (Ottawa), after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was lovingly surrounded by family who were praying a chaplet of the Divine Mercy when he breathed his last. Henk was a man of genuine faith. We pray for the repose of his soul, so that his passage into eternal glory to be with the Lord may be quick!

Henk was the cherished husband of Diny (née Smits), to whom he was married for over 64 years. Beloved father to Fr. John, Fr. Roger, and Cindy Folz (Patrick). Loving grandfather (Opa) to Daniel, Nicolas, and Bianca. Predeceased by his siblings Fr. Martin, Bertha (van de Ven), Nellie, Johan, Marien, Gerhard, and Maria Teresa (Smits). Uncle to many nieces and nephews.

Henk immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands in 1950, following Diny’s family after meeting her at his sister’s wedding. He graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Nova Scotia Technical College, and soon after joined the Federal Public Service in Ottawa, where he worked as a Patent Examiner for over 30 years. He married Diny in 1958 and had three children (John, Roger, and Cindy). He was a devoted husband and father. His favourite hobby was racing pigeons. He also loved caring for many other types of birds and animals, as well as gardening.

A major turning point in Henk’s life occured when he experienced a profound reawakening of his faith via the graces of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the mid-1970s. He was a faith filled parishioner of many Ottawa area parishes, including St. Martin de Porres (Bells Corners), St. Monica's (Nepean), St. Leonard’s (Manotick) and St. Mary's (Ottawa).

A Funeral Mass will take place on Friday, March 24th at St. Patrick's Church in Fallowfield (15 Steeple Hill Cres., Nepean) (stpatricksfallowfield.com). Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m., with a one hour visitation period beforehand in the church (beginning at 10:00 a.m.). There will be a reception in St. Patrick's Parish Hall immediately following the Mass (light buffet lunch). Everyone is welcome. Burial will take place later this spring in the St. Patrick Parish Cemetery adjacent to the church.

Many thanks to the dedicated staff of Carleton Lodge for their tender care of Henk. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Companions of the Cross (Home - Companions of the Cross (companionscross.org)).