At Hospice Wellington Wednesday, April 29, 2025, Joe passed peacefully, with loved ones by his side. He was in his 95th year. Beloved husband of Freda for 64 years. Dear father of Brenda Leenders (Ian MacHattie) Truro,NS, Cynthia (Hubert) Schillings, Oshawa, John (Cheryl) Leenders, Erin. Proud Opa to Myra, Josee, April, Joel, Leah, Emma, Shelby, Morgan. Great Opa to Ada and Remi. Brother of late Marie (John) van Werde, Lisa (late John)Vermeulen, late Andre (late Ann) Leenders, August (late Myrl) Leenders, late Albert (Kathleen) Leenders, Eugene (Willy) Leenders, Herman Leenders and Richard (late Gladys) Leenders. Predeceased by parents Johannes and Huberta Leenders. Once a farmer, always a farmer. In Holland, Joe grew up on a farm. During WWII, the farm sustained not only their large family, but anyone who came to their door hungry. Joe arrived in Canada, with his parents and eight siblings at Pier 21 Halifax in 1950. The family worked together to buy their first farm in Sarnia. In 1961 he married Freda, and soon started their family. In 1964 they bought their first chicken farm, and in 1967 expanded the farm in Grand Valley. Son John continues the farming tradition in Erin. Joe could fix anything, and was always collecting things to be puttered with in his shop. He was a member of the Erin Lion’s Club for over 30 years. In his retired years, he enjoyed travelling, visiting Holland several times and loved road trips to Nova Scotia. He loved watching his grandchildren grow, and was thrilled to have two great grandchildren. Visitation took place Monday May 5, 2-4pm, 7-9pm at the Gilbert MacIntyre and Son Hart Chapel,1099 Gordon St, Guelph ON. Funeral Mass was celebrated Tuesday May 6, 10:30am at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk St., Guelph. Reception followed at the church hall. Interment at 2:30pm, Erin Union Cemetery, 5350 9th Line, Erin ON. We are blessed to have our family together at this time. Thank you to Hospice Wellington, Fr Ian Duffy, and Chaplin Beverleigh Broughton for your loving care in our time of need. Thank-you to the Catholic Women’s League for the luncheon and everyone else who has supported us. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Ending Global Hunger, canadianfoodgrainsbank.ca, The Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Women’s League, https://www.basilicaofourlady.com/ Hospice Wellington, https://www.hospicewellington.org/donate or a charity of your choice.
