Albert, 95, Master Cooper, North Vancouver, died March 2, 2007,
Born in Katwijk Netherlands 1911, he was the son of the late Jacob and Mina (Hoek) de Jong.
He married Martina (van der Zwan) de Jong in 1936. (Scheveningen Netherlands)
They celebrated their 70th Wedding anniversary in 2006.
Albert and Martina arrived in Canada with three sons Jacobus (Jack), Jan (John), and Adriaan via the SS Volendam in 1951.
Their fourth son Gary was born in Montreal.
His sisters Jacoba, Elizabeth, Catharina, Willemina, Bertha, Gretha, and brothers Arend, Jacob, and Maarten predeceased Albert.
His wife, four sons, and twelve grand and great grandchildren as well as his sisters Geertje, Johanna and Janna survive him.
Albert started work as an apprentice cooper in his father's shop after finishing primary school at the age of 13.
Upon completion of his apprenticeship, he worked for a number of cooper shops, including a short period in Poland.
At the outbreak of war in 1939 he began employment in Amsterdam's Amstel Brewery.
This was a difficult period in his life.
He had a young family to support but was frequently forced into hiding to escape enforced labour recruiting by the German occupation forces, especially towards the end of the war. Upon his arrival in Canada he continued to apply his cooper trade for Rosemount Barrel and Drum and later for Seagram's Distillery in Montreal.
He retired in 1976.
In 1979 he moved to White Rock B.C. where he continued to enjoy his trade and make barrels like an artist.
Having been born near the sea he enjoyed the ocean and the B.C. coast. Sailing and fishing would stop everything and even in his nineties he frequently joined his sons on their boat.
He enjoyed life and his family. He will be missed.
He has asked that his ashes be spread over the ocean.
The Family would like to thank all those who assisted Albert in his last year of life especially the caregivers at the Cedar Lodge care facility.
A private Family reunion to celebrate Albert's life will be held later.