Obituary for Dick Schraa
Dick Schraa
Peacefully at Bethell Hospice on Sunday July 31st, 2022 at the age of 78. Beloved husband of Joan Schraa. Dear father of Ellen Schraa and John Schraa (Cheryl Bourne). Cherished Grandfather of Toni Schraa (Nate Graham). Predeceased by brothers Jan (Val) and Rolph. Remembered by his sister-in-laws Eileen and Eleanor Schraa and his siblings Harma (John Gritt), Patty Roodzant (Ed), Jerry Keep (Reta), Andy Keep-deceased (Marti) and Margaret Koltenburg (Henry).
Dirk (Dick) was born in Zuidwolde, Drenthe, Netherlands to Jan Schraa and Geesje Grietje (Grace) Haveman on June 20, 1944, with older brother Jan (John) and later younger brother Roelof (Ralph). He is predeceased by both parents and both brothers. His father Jan passed away in 1949 and his mother remarried to Albert Keep. Geesje and Albert had five children, Harma (John), Jerry (Rita), Andy (deceased) (Marti), Paddy (Ed) and Margaret (Henry). On June 18, 1958 the family immigrated to Canada, landing in Halifax then travelling via Montreal to settle in Caledon near Orangeville.
Dick met Joan Elizabeth Gray in 1965. They were married in Orangeville on April 30, 1966. Their daughter Ellen (Eleanor) Geesje was born June 13, 1966, and their son John Richard was born on February 14, 1968. Dick’s granddaughter Toni Audrey born on October 10, 1996.
In the early years of their marriage, Dick and Joan resided in Orangeville and Mono, eventually buying land on Leader Drive in 1974. Dick built their first home at 4 Leader Drive in 1975 and the family resided there until 1984. He subsequently bought the land at 9 Leader Drive and built their second home where he resided until he passed.
Dick started his own contracting business in 1975 and worked until his body would no longer allow him to. He officially closed his contracting business in 2018. For the forty plus years Dick had his contracting business he built homes in Caledon, Orangeville, Mono, and as far north as Parry Sound. He was part of the rebuilding of the Town of Orangeville’s new Town Hall, the conversion of the old Orangeville Hospital into the Lord Dufferin Centre, and worked on the new Museum of Dufferin (MOD) at Highway 89 and Airport Road. Over the years he worked with well-known and respected contractors Art Devogel, Jack Henderson, the Edelbrock brothers, Arie Niezen, Randy Brummel and Don Watson.
Dick’s business was built entirely on referrals and repeat business, many people having multiple homes completed or worked on by him. He was very well known for his meticulous work and attention to detail. He was a dedicated family man, fictitious in his work and his home. He was also always on the move, working, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, traveling, or bicycling.
Visitation will be held at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 21 First St., Orangeville on Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial donations to Princess Margaret Foundation or Bethell Hospice would be appreciated by the family.
A tree will be planted in memory of Dick in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. 20th Annual Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com
Peacefully at Bethell Hospice on Sunday July 31st, 2022 at the age of 78. Beloved husband of Joan Schraa. Dear father of Ellen Schraa and John Schraa (Cheryl Bourne). Cherished Grandfather of Toni Schraa (Nate Graham). Predeceased by brothers Jan (Val) and Rolph. Remembered by his sister-in-laws Eileen and Eleanor Schraa and his siblings Harma (John Gritt), Patty Roodzant (Ed), Jerry Keep (Reta), Andy Keep-deceased (Marti) and Margaret Koltenburg (Henry).
Dirk (Dick) was born in Zuidwolde, Drenthe, Netherlands to Jan Schraa and Geesje Grietje (Grace) Haveman on June 20, 1944, with older brother Jan (John) and later younger brother Roelof (Ralph). He is predeceased by both parents and both brothers. His father Jan passed away in 1949 and his mother remarried to Albert Keep. Geesje and Albert had five children, Harma (John), Jerry (Rita), Andy (deceased) (Marti), Paddy (Ed) and Margaret (Henry). On June 18, 1958 the family immigrated to Canada, landing in Halifax then travelling via Montreal to settle in Caledon near Orangeville.
Dick met Joan Elizabeth Gray in 1965. They were married in Orangeville on April 30, 1966. Their daughter Ellen (Eleanor) Geesje was born June 13, 1966, and their son John Richard was born on February 14, 1968. Dick’s granddaughter Toni Audrey born on October 10, 1996.
In the early years of their marriage, Dick and Joan resided in Orangeville and Mono, eventually buying land on Leader Drive in 1974. Dick built their first home at 4 Leader Drive in 1975 and the family resided there until 1984. He subsequently bought the land at 9 Leader Drive and built their second home where he resided until he passed.
Dick started his own contracting business in 1975 and worked until his body would no longer allow him to. He officially closed his contracting business in 2018. For the forty plus years Dick had his contracting business he built homes in Caledon, Orangeville, Mono, and as far north as Parry Sound. He was part of the rebuilding of the Town of Orangeville’s new Town Hall, the conversion of the old Orangeville Hospital into the Lord Dufferin Centre, and worked on the new Museum of Dufferin (MOD) at Highway 89 and Airport Road. Over the years he worked with well-known and respected contractors Art Devogel, Jack Henderson, the Edelbrock brothers, Arie Niezen, Randy Brummel and Don Watson.
Dick’s business was built entirely on referrals and repeat business, many people having multiple homes completed or worked on by him. He was very well known for his meticulous work and attention to detail. He was a dedicated family man, fictitious in his work and his home. He was also always on the move, working, snowmobiling, fishing, camping, traveling, or bicycling.
Visitation will be held at the Dods & McNair Funeral Home, Chapel & Reception Centre, 21 First St., Orangeville on Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday, August 5, 2022 at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial donations to Princess Margaret Foundation or Bethell Hospice would be appreciated by the family.
A tree will be planted in memory of Dick in the Dods & McNair Memorial Forest at the Island Lake Conservation Area, Orangeville. 20th Annual Dedication Service will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.dodsandmcnair.com