Obituary of Aart Veldhoven

Obituary for Aart Veldhoven

Aart Veldhoven passed away peacefully in the Valley Regional Hospital on June 13, 2025, surrounded by family and so much love. He was 89 years old.

Aart was active in the Royal Canadian Legion, particularly in New Germany, for several years, where he became the Zone Sergeant-at-Arms for the South Shore Legion: his way of showing his gratitude to the Canadian veterans who liberated the Netherlands.

When he and his second wife Norma moved to Coldbrook, he became one of the leading lights at the Northville Farm Heritage Centre and was their longtime Treasurer.

Encouraged by his daughter-in-law Carrie, Aart started attending jam sessions in the area, rediscovered the pleasure of classic country music, and began singing himself; with the help of his soon to be son-in-law, Dana, he produced his own CD of six of his songs. At the jam sessions he met his future partner, Ginny Stoddart, whose companionship gave him much happiness during the last eight years. Aart was even a television star, appearing in two seasons of “The Big Downsize”.

Aart was born in Bilthoven, The Netherlands on April 27, 1936, and lived through the German occupation; his parents sheltered Jewish families, and he had lasting memories of bombing raids, and of hunger, particularly during the winter of 1944-45 – for the rest of his life he could not bear to waste food. After spending two years at Agricultural School, he emigrated to Canada in 1954 with his parents and his three younger brothers. Although he held a variety of jobs in the city area and became an accomplished upholsterer, he much preferred country living and soon acquired an excellent reputation for his craft in the valley. He kept chickens, often accompanied by Jersey cows, a pig, and horses, and in his younger years could always be counted on to help at harvest time. On weekends, he and his first wife Ann used to go to horse shows together with the kids in tow. 

Aart was predeceased by his parents, Johannes and Johanna Veldhoven, and by two of his brothers, Nick (Eileen) and Gerard (Norman). He was also predeceased by his first wife Ann (Garrard) and his second wife Norma (Langille), each of whom he cared for during their illnesses with practicality, patience, and empathy.

He is survived by his brother John; his three children Jane (Dana), Neil (Shauna) and Sean (Carrie); by his three granddaughters, Alyssa, Calla and Teagan, and by his dear friend Ginny Stoddart. Music brought him great pleasure in his later years and even in hospital he could be counted on to sing to you.

Aart’s strong spirit, good humour, and outgoing ways will be greatly missed by his family and his many friends.

At Aart’s request, there will be no funeral. Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, Coldbrook, NS (902) 679-2822.