John William Mary van Ruitenbeek

19 Jul 1935 - 28 Jun 2023

John William Mary van Ruitenbeek

19 Jul 1935 - 28 Jun 2023

Peacefully passed away at home.

Loved brother of Maria (deceased), Engelbertha (deceased), Alida, Gerardus (deceased), Wilhelmus (deceased) and loved Uncle to nine nieces and nephews (all in The Netherlands).

Well respected and good friend to many.

Will be sadly missed by all.

Requiem Mass was celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes, Catholic Church, 85 Te Mata Road, Havelock North on Tuesday 4 th July, 2023 at 11am, followed by cremation.

A tribute to John or messages for his family can be left via www.dunstalls.co.nz or C/o PO Box 1055, Napier, 4140.

Uncle ( he didn”t like that ) John was quite a character ! I have visited Paris with him when he was frist time back in Holland. I was 15 at that time and we had a very nice trip together. Three years later I went to New Zealand and lived and worked with John for half a year. That was the best time of my life ! I loved Hawkes Bay and learned a lot from John with his enormous humor and the way he looked at life. We were reading a lot and listend to music like Neil Diamond and Nat King Cole.I realy loved meeting his friends and living in Clive. Living with John changed my life and he gave me lessons for the rest of my live ! I will thank John for that and will remember him forever !
I also want to thank all his friends and other people he knew, who took care of him and gave him a very nice live in beautiful New Zealand !
All my love Leo de Weert

Leo de Weert ( 03 Jul 2023 )

For mine dear uncle John,
I am privileged to have met you and stay with you in New Zealand.
The first time when I traffeld alone in 2000 and I stayed in mine own built tent in your shet, To work together , the laugh we had but also your lessons for live and our holiday with your truck to Rotarua, I will never forget.
Our second visit was with mine wife Suzanne, our daughter and together with aunt Ada in 2008. We also went to Rotorua all together and also this week was unforgetable. Aunt Ada stayed in your house while we made a tour to the South island.
Unforgettable journeys that have made a deep impression on me.
I will never forget the memories of you and your good life, John.

Thank you,
farewell
Your cousin Wim de Weert

Wim de Weert ( 03 Jul 2023 )

John worked at Tomoana and Whakatu Freezing works with my late partner John des Landes, and we have had many a Sunday Lunch here at the beach (Whirinaki) as long as I wasn't serving fish!! Over the 30 odd years I have known John he was always the same, ever the gentleman and friend and a very hard worker, we often helped with Bean picking and there were always lots of laughs to be had in the paddock. He was a great one for not wearing/or forgetting to wear his hearing aid, so conversations were often very loud. He was a great reader especially on matters pertaining to health. While he was laterly housebound he was always gracious and accepting of how his health was, admitting frequently that he had a very good life, but always planning what he could do in the paddock when he "came right". I miss you John and treasure our many hours of chat face to face or over the phone. Rest easy my friend you have well and truely earned it. Love Ann

Ann O'Connor ( 03 Jul 2023 )