John Dyk

John Dyk died on April 16, 2022, at age 82, peacefully with his family around him at St. Michael’s Hospital. He had been recovering from surgery.

An artist, craftsman, and lover of nature at heart, he was the definition of a self-made man. He lived with the love of his life Inge (Donner), with whom he raised three loved children - John (Frances), Robert (Lesya) and Kathleen. He was perhaps most proud of the adults that his grandchildren had become- Alexander (engaged to Victoria Shortridge), Charlotte, Stephanie, and Olivia. Each of them was in contact by phone or WhatsApp daily or weekly, and many pictures and messages were sent to their “Grandy” during his hospital stay.

He was born on October 13, 1939, in Borne Holland to John and Sylvia Dyk, the youngest of 3 siblings that included Hilkje (Wilbrink) and Harry (Arend) Dyk. After WWII, his family emigrated to Canada, and lived what could be described as the typical immigrant experience – working hard, finding a community with whom they could relate, and in general trying to make a better life for themselves.

John’s creative talents could not be supressed – with both talent and drive, he joined Simpson’s department store as a window dresser. But it was after joining the interior design department, that he met a strikingly beautiful German interior designer/cabinet maker named Inge Donner. Lovestruck, and after a short engagement, they married on December 17, 1960. The family could not get together for their 60th anniversary due to COVID restrictions, but their 61st anniversary was celebrated with all their children and grandchildren present. It was as described by all, a real celebration of life and family.

Many homes were decorated by John Dyk Interiors, an interior design and decorating boutique located on the corner of Wendover and Bloor streets in the Kingsway in the 1970’s. After he and Inge closed the business, he continued to work in interior design, commercial furniture, and fabric industries, always having his finger on the pulse of the design Zeitgeist. He was also, as many will attest, a natural-born salesman and a bit of a “Petrol Head”, maybe more from a design than a performance standpoint.

John and Inge bought a piece of crown land on Toad Lake in 1969 on which they built a cottage that was and continues to be the spiritual centre of the Dyk family. The cottage provided the Dyk family a very special place to recreate every summer into the fall, and where his love of design and nature could intersect.

John loved the simple things in life. He loved a glass of good red wine on a Friday night with his daughter Kathleen. He loved to travel and went with Inge on many trips with their son John and family where the study of history and architecture were his passions. He was also fiercely proud of his Dutch heritage and traveled to Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles with his son Robert and family on more than one occasion, where he was observed to revel in the ability to converse with the native population in Dutch. But he was in his glory when he and Inge designed interiors together, especially projects around their own home or cottage.

John did his crossword puzzles regularly and with passion, was well read, met friends for coffee and lunch, and before COVID loved going to the gym. And during World Cup Soccer games, he was a faithful “Oranje” fan. But most of all, he loved and appreciated every day with Inge that started with the affirmation - “Good Morning, I love you”.

John was a loving husband and father and grandfather, trusted friend, a good neighbour, and a man who meant so much to those who knew and loved him. He and Inge seemed to have “the” home that absorbed friends and family for their “famous” Sunday brunches. Nieces, nephews, and the children of their friends remember Uncle John and Tante Inge’s as a home where things were never ever boring. Creativity and the ability to experience nature were the order of the day.

After “downsizing” and moving to a bungalow off the Queensway, John made an impression in the neighbourhood as a thoughtful and attentive neighbour as well as a passionate fundraiser for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

It was John’s wish for everyone to remember him in the way in which they wanted. To this end, a celebration of his life should be held in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew and loved him, individually, possibly with a good Dutch beer or a glass of red wine to toast his life, one that hopefully has been described as “well lived”. He wished for his ashes to find their way to a special tree at the cottage, with his immediate family gathered ‘round. This will be achieved as soon as the Canadian weather cooperates, and when his descendants, his pride and joy, can gather.

Lastly, Inge his bride of almost 62 years, wishes to thank all that have been so kind in their support. She would like to thank John’s Home Care nurse Stephanie for 9 months of attentive home visits, and the staff of St. Michael’s ICU who not only provided amazing care but were incredibly and intuitively supportive of the family as they gathered around John in his final hours.