Cover photo for Anthony “Tony” H. Marinus Vander Voet March 24, 1945 – April 22, 2018's Obituary
Anthony “Tony” H. Marinus Vander Voet March 24, 1945 – April 22, 2018 Profile Photo
Anthony

Anthony “Tony” H. Marinus Vander Voet March 24, 1945 – April 22, 2018

ANTHONY “Tony” H. MARINUS VANDER VOET March 24, 1945 – April 22, 2018

Neither severe malnourishment at birth during the Hunger Winter, 1945 in The Netherlands, nor immigration to Edmonton, 1950, nor a major bout with cancer in 2000 could snuff out Tony’s determined, curious and loveable spirit. Until the cancer returned.

Scientist, Teacher, Artist, Leader, Public Servant (Ontario), World traveller, Photographer, Tony embraced his life and adventure. He remained a devoted, much loved husband, father, grandfather, Tio, friend and mentor.

He met Susan McCrae at the University of Alberta where he acquired his MSc. They both sang in the Mixed Chorus and married in 1966.

Tony and Susan worked through CUSO in Bogota, Colombia, 1967 – 1969 and were gifted with two children: Jairo Raul Garzon, 13 and David (Ximena) the natural way. Tony led the Chemistry Department, Universidad Javeriana and wrote a Spanish text book for first year students. In 1970 Tony began PhD (Inorganic Chemistry) studies and taught at the University of Toronto.

In early 1973 the family pursued new adventure in Chile. Tony taught at the Universidad Téchnica del Estado, in Santiago, an endeavour interrupted by the brutal Military Coup d’état in Chile, September 1973. During this period, a third child, Andrea (Karen) was born.

In 1980 Tony joined the Ontario Geological Survey and pioneered advanced analytical techniques to assay geological samples for rare earths. A contract with the Thai Government to implement similar services led Tony and family to embark on an around the world tour in 1987 to and from an 8 month sojourn in Bangkok.

Among other OPS appointments: Program Director, Ontario Science Centre; Executive Assistant, Deputy Elaine Todres, Policy Director; Ontario rep, international ITER project.

Tony’s art grew after retirement to encompass landscape painting, printmaking and photography. He and Susan shared a love of art and travelled to paint in Chile, Argentina, Mexico, The Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, the Rockies, Royal Botanical Gardens, Killarney Provincial Park, Alaska, and Arizona. Their last major trip was to the Southern Patagonia Icefield in the Andes.

Tony applied his organizational abilities to several arts organizations as President, Colour and Form Society and Ontario Society of Artists; Treasurer, John B. Aird Gallery and board of Pastel Artist of Canada and Headwaters Arts.

His work “Inspired by the Glacier” won first prize, International Juried Online Exhibition, Society of Canadian Artists, just before his death. For shows and paintings:

www.gallerymarinus.com

.

Art is one legacy, but Tony would say the more important one was his family and large circle of friends. He was so proud of his children, Jairo, David and Andrea, their accomplishments and the families they formed, and of his adopted sister Carmen ‘Tita’. He burst with pride talking about his grandchildren and newest loves: Christian, an honours student at St. Francis Xavier with big plans; Julian, the affable big hearted hockey player; Emma Grace, his smarty pants princess who at five beat him at matching games.

‘Tio Tony’ is missed by relations: nieces and nephews, his brother Larry, in-laws Scott and Bob, Delia, Ilda, Lynne and Arla. His adopted friendship brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews which formed our family group in Ontario and Chile for decades, they miss his wit, story- telling, and love.

His broad circles of friends lined up to see him in his last days and we were buoyed by love, support and the celebration of his life. He drew crowds to the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital from Chile, Mexico, both coasts of Canada, the USA –testament to the well lived life of a much loved man.

Please make a donation in Tony’s name to your own charity, cancer services or the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret. And to support Tony’s artistic legacy, he would tell you to go out personally, buy a piece of original art from an artist and hang it on your wall.

Tony has been cremated as per his wishes. A celebration of life is planned for July, announcements of details on

Tony’s Facebook page

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