My father was born in Leiderdorp, The Netherlands on March 4th, 1935. He was born to Dirk and Johanna Petronella Moraal and a noble family of 10 children. He married my mother Tina van Engen. He was most proud of his heritage and his own five children Jane, Jennifer, Amy, Derrick and I.
He was married to Tina van Engen for 27 years. As I mentioned we his surviving five children were the product of that marriage. But, there is one very dear child yet to mention. Nicolaas. Little Nicky passed away at the tender age of 3 years old. He no doubt awaits my father in paradise. Being of the Adventist faith my father believed that the soul is at rest in Jesus. Dad often related that when Nicky passed away his dieing words were "I want some first, I want some first". We believed that Nicky was staring into the future which for him would be an instant. In the next instant he would be at the table Christ prepared for him. Nicky was relieved of his suffering. That little boy suffered more than any little boy should even be aware, but his greatness was in his faith and that he was assured a place in in eternity with Christ. May my father join him in the next instant of eternity. I know that Dad and Mom both loved my brother Nicky and that he will never be forgotten especially since my father is now at rest along side Nicky awaiting the day of redemption.
Dad enjoyed being outside and camping. He loved the west and often we would took excursions into the mountains. We had many family get togethers, Dad's brothers came to visit from Ontario, and Mom and Dad took a trip to Holland in 1979. There were many good times in our lives and Dad most enjoyed simple the pleasures of nature. He promoted using our imaginations and reflecting on what is important in life and scenery. He was at peace here in the rolling hills of western Canada. I believe that is why he chose to be buried near the rolling hills and canola fields around Clive, Alberta. My fondest memory of my father is driving out to the east country before sunrise and releasing his birds over the sand hills near AlSask, Saskatchewan. These were the peaceful times of my childhood and I know my father loved the wind as I loved the smell it made in his jacket and his warm touch of approval on my shoulder. We spent many hours driving around together.
Dad was also from a family of ten brothers and sisters they were Sientje, Johanna, Hun, Arie, Betsy, Dick, Frederika, Nicolaas, Rien, and Beatrix. He is survived by Dick, Frey, Rien, and Betsy. They all live in Ontario. My sisters, brother, and I often remember them with fondness and love. One of the sad things about leaving Ontario for Alberta in 1977 was leaving all of our extended family in Ontario behind. We sincerly wish they could be here today and we know that we are in their thoughts and hearts as they too no doubt greive the passing of Uncle Nick and remember those who have gone before him. Our love and thoughts go to them as well.
Dad was also enormously proud to have served in the Royal Dutch Navy which took him around the world. He travelled to places most men of his era could only dream about in some novel about the Orient or Arabia. He served on mine sweepers, destroyers, and an aircraft carrier. His most significant adventure took him to New Guinea where he took part in the historic work of preparing the tiny island nation’s waterways and South Pacific harbors. In fact there were no scientist’s or explorers from the western world that had ever entered the area before the Dutch Navy had completed its work there. So at that time very little was known about the country and its people. In the reverse the indigenous peoples had never seen Europeans and no doubt for some this seen was not unlike Columbus landing in the Americas for the first time. And that truly was unique because there were few frontiers like it left to be discovered in the 20th Century. It is also unique as history will not likely produce this type of exploration again. He once told of night time foot patrols in the jungle where he would pass silent faces in the dark that knew where he was, but he was unaware of. Holding a modern rifle was little comfort to him in the dark nights and cannibalistic region.
Of comfort to me though was a story he told of being stung by a jelly fish while on an exercise in the water. Delirious he was sick and swollen and near death in the inescapable heat and humidity. Trying to escape the heat he went above to the deck for some cool night air. At his most desperate moment in the night he looked up to see the clearest night sky filled with stars and he had a vision of his father’s eyes. In that moment he felt his father’s approval and love and it was enough to sustain him not only through that trial, but his entire life. In the jungle my father experienced the greatest joy and the greatest despair, but he always remembered his time in New Guinea and in the Navy most proudly, because it was through these trials he came to know God.
Sometime after his service in the Navy his family decided to emigrate from Holland to Canada. He landed in Canada 53 years ago in October 1958. He had travelled on the Holland-America line a ship he was quite comfortable on after his adventures in the Navy. He had intended to become a farmer in Canada. I suppose he was a sea traveller, but a land lover at heart. He enjoyed his gardens and took great care of the garden that is still planted in front of Red Deer City Hall. The city gardens were one of his most passionate tasks in his job as a maintenance man for the Alberta Government.
He was most inspired by the Psalms and his faith in Adventist doctrine. I had an opportunity to speak with him recently where he told me of his desire to be with Christ. I feel that the most important thing to convey is that he was at peace with the Lord in his last days. He had truly accepted Christ’s redemption into his heart. I know that he would want us all to know this and that in turn he would want us all to seek the Lord and healing in our hearts as well.
Never the less kicking against the pricks I stubbornly defied my father in our last conversation. I asked him “show me one passage in the entire New Testament repeats and requires us to keep the fourth commandment”. He said under his breath “I am glad you asked because I show you a whole book”. At the time he never really answered my question he was going to get back to me sometime this week. I was quite satisfied with that because I was certain that I was right. There is no passage and with that we said goodnight and hung up the phone. I had forgotten this conversation until now as I write this. I wanted to do some research for this eulogy so I opened my Bible. It opened with no turning of the pages by my hand to Hebrews and my eyes were immediately drawn to chapter 4. Which I will read to you...
Hebrews 4:1-16
Dad thank-you for getting back to me…You are in our hearts forever.
