John van den Heuvel

A hero is loving,caring,athletic and generous. Are you all of these characteristics? John van den Heuvel was born in 1957 in Kamsack and died in 1995 because of cancer in his stomach. My mom and dad were married in 1986 and for their honeymoon they went to Hawai. Starting in 1988 my mom,Colleen had three beautiful children.(especially me!) In 1988 my sister was born! They named her Angela. Two years later.... they had me! They named me Shana. Another two years later....... they had a boy! They named him Ryan. My father was a loving generous man with lots to share with our family. He was also caring and very athletic.

When my dad went to work he would always give me free cookies, since he owned the bakery. When my mom was washing dishes my dad would give me a piggy-back ride,a sack of potatoes, carry me around the house on his shoulders, or just play with me. At night he would rub my back or stay with me until I fell asleep.

My dad was also generous because he supported charitys. If anyone was asking for a donation at the bakery he would make a donation. I bet you would rarely do that. John also gave up his time to do volunteer work. He gave my grandpa free raisin bread for toast in the morning. He was always happy to help anyone.

John was very athletic. John was a referee in high school. In curling, my dad was a skip, he won many bonspiels (I guess I got LOTS of my curling talent from him) and brought home about three T.V.s when he played. He also brought home many other things.He was also good at football, slo-pitch, golfing, wind surfing, ski-dooing, pulling Angela, Shana, and Ryan around on the ice and playing with us everywhere.

John was also caring because he always helped a person that was in need. He would hardly put someone down. When my dad was dying he went to the Royal University Hopital in Saskatoon. He died Monday May 8th,1995 in the Saskatoon Hospital. On May 12th at St.Gerards Father Greer said the mass for John. The arrangment of the mass were in care of Bailey's Funeral Home. And that's why I think John van den Heuvel(Shana,Ryan and Angela's dad, husband to Colleen) is a hero.