Jan “John” was born April 15, 1935 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands and peacefully passed away on August 24, 2024 at Biggar, SK with Yvonne at his side.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Evelyn de Bruin, North Battleford, SK; his loving children – John (Linda) de Bruin, Warman, SK; Mary Ann (Glenn) Blackstock, Gallivan, SK;  Paul (Shannon) de Bruin, North Battleford, SK; Yvonne (Ken) Markewich, Biggar, SK; Grandchildren Jennie (Keith) Andres, Warman, SK; Brian (Rosanna) de Bruin, Calgary, AB; Scott (Shelby) de Bruin, La Ronge, SK; Paul Blackstock, Saskatoon, SK; Amanda Blackstock (Brenton), Saskatoon, SK; Sara (Matt) MacGillivray, Guelph, ON; Blair (Rosalyn) de Bruin, Meadow Lake, SK; Kara (Terry) Monson, Regina, SK; Christina Olson; Brandon Markewich; Daniel Markewich, all of Biggar, SK; numerous great grandchildren; Sisters Annie (Jan) Van Aalsburg, H. I. Ambacht, The Netherlands; Adrie Put, H. I. Ambacht, The Netherlands, Hennie (Otto) Voorthuis, Huizen, The Netherlands; Thea (Jan) Akkerman, Barendrecht, The Netherlands; Sisters in Law Ina de Bruin, Puttershoek, The Netherlands; Mia de Bruin, Emmen, The Netherlands; Lies de Bruin, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; as well as Numerous nieces and nephews.

Jan was predeceased by his loving wife Corrie de Bruin, parents Anna & Jan de Bruin, Sister Lena (Adriaan) Snijders; brother’s Joh (Corrie) de Bruin, Arie de Bruin, Gerrit de Bruin and Andries de Bruin; Great-Grandaughter Rey de Bruin, Calgary AB; as well as Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

When dad came to Canada in 1955, he stayed on the farm with his Uncle while he learned English. Eventually he decided that farming was not for him and he heard of a job working with the locomotives. He convinced his uncle to give him a ride to Prince Albert SK to apply for the job and was hired on working out of North Battleford. He really liked his job but unfortunately he found himself laid off from the Railroad.  Not to get down, he heard of a Mechanic’s Job with Boyd Brother’s. Being that he was a trained mechanic he applied. Jack Boyd must have seen something in dad and he was hired on. He saw many changes there including being hired as Shop Foreman. Dad’s humor was always present and so were practical jokes. Dad met and made a lot of acquaintances over the time he worked with Boyd’s and some ended up becoming lifelong friends. After almost 21 years, dad left Boyd’s and went to work at the Battleford’s Union hospital as Assistant Maintenance Supervisor. Eventually he became Maintenance Supervisor and in the end became Director of Maintenance and oversaw 4 different facilities.  Dad not only had his Diploma in Mechanics, but 4th Class Power Engineers Certificate, Refrigeration ticket and a self-taught computer programmer. Dad taught us to live, learn, love and work hard. Dad was a man of many talents; however, the most important thing to him was family no matter the distance and you always knew if you had a problem call dad.

The funeral service for Jan de Bruin will be held at the Garden Chapel, 1332-100 Street North Battleford, SK on Friday, September 6th, 2024 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Battleford’s Union Hospital Foundation, . Dad you have gone but will never be forgotten.

Condolences for the family can be made at www.eternalmemoriesfuneral.ca. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service & Crematorium – Larissa Wack – Apprentice Funeral Director

• Date : 2024-08-29
• Location : Biggar, SK