Kees van Schagen of Victoria, BC, formerly of 100 Mile House, BC passed away on Monday, June 22, 2020, at the age of 71. After several months of declining health fighting cancer, Kees died peacefully with his wife Sue and his loving family by his side. Kees was born in de Hague Netherlands on September 18, 1948, to father Albertus van Schagen and mother Petronella van Schagen (nee Hoeben). The second youngest of five children, they immigrated to Canada in 1957. Kees obtained his journeymen butcher certification, starting at an early age cutting meat in Sidney, BC.
He would move on to have a long career with Canada Safeway, moving to Port Alberni, North Vancouver, and 100 Mile house. Raising his family in 100 Mile, his Daughter, Tammy Fraser (Doug) was born in Sidney and his Son Rick (Allison) was born in Port Alberni, both were his pride and joy, and he was the definition of family first and always. Kees relocated to Victoria after leaving 100 Mile House, and met his beloved Sue in 2001, marrying in 2016. Along with Sue, he cherished his sons David Strobbe (David) and Geoff Strobbe (Angel), and all the extended Hutchins family who embraced him immediately.
Kees was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Sue, his four children, grandchildren Jessa Coukell, Will, Jaime, Skye Royer (Troy), Taylor Fraser (Kim), great grandchild Tyson Royer, siblings Bill (Irene), Albert (Sharon), Hester Yaworski (predeceased Paul), Nelly and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. He had a unique and special relationship with all his family and friends, and he will be remembered fondly. The family would like to thank everyone for all the kind words and well wishes.
Dad, Opa, Kees, Dutchy, keeser, Uncle Kees – thanks for touching our lives – we will be forever grateful. Rest in Peace People wishing to honor Kees can make donations to the BC Cancer Foundation http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/donate on his behalf. At his request, there will not be a service.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Norm Smookler
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Jane (fellow volunteer) I volunteered, for the first time with Destination Greater Victoria last year, and worked alongside Kees meeting and greeting cruise ships. I enjoyed his company during my shifts and he was definitely one of the fellow volunteers I was looking forward to seeing again this season. He will be missed. Please accept my deepest and sincere condolences for your loss.
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Shelley My condolences to all this great family that Kees was so happy and proud of! For the Season volunteering greeting the cruise ships, it was a pleasure to work, laugh and listen to this kind, funny and helpful fellow. He really enjoyed sharing his love and pride for his family and always respected their hard work and joyful social times together.
You will be greatly miss Kees!
Shelley Stott
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Cheryl Sue, fond memories of you both, very helpful man to me, he will be missed. All the best to you. Take care!
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Joyce (Hammerer) Penner Tammy and Rick. I was so sad to hear of your Dad’s passing. He was such a neat guy and you will remember him with lots of smiles instead of tears, in time.
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Al &. Marilyn Amundson We are so saddened to hear of Kee’s passing. He was a great guy & always with a smile! Sincere condolences to the entire family.
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Steve and Lee Walker Sue and Family,
We were so very sorry to hear of Kees passing. Ill remember the good times, fun and laughter in the meat dept. and his smile and sense of humour… Our sincere and deepest condolences to all of his family.
Steve and Lee Walker
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Wally and Rita Kolbeis Wally and Rita Kolbeis
We were so shocked and sorry to hear of Kees’ passing. We have fond memories of our friendship with all his family, and he will be greatly missed. He was such a Great Guy.
Our condolences go out to Sue and all his family at this very sad time. Please know our thoughts are with you all.
Fondly, Wally and Rita
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Nancy and Ken Meville Ken and Nancy Meville
So sad to hear of your dad’s passing, Tammy and Rick. Kees was one of a kind, always a warm smile. Our thoughts are with you.
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Anthony & Janine Yaworski Uncle Kees’ kindness was as infectious as his warm smile. It always felt as if no time had passed between visits once his arms were squeezed tightly around you, and he gave you an incredible hug!
He always made me(Janine) feel like a part of the family, I enjoyed his conversation, how genuine he was, how his laugh was so contagious ( it must be a family trait) and what an all around great man Uncle Kees was.
I (Tony) don’t think words can express how deeply I will miss Uncle Kees, and I wish to send my deepest condolences to my entire Family. He will be missed. He is loved.
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Cindy Smith I’m so very sorry for your loss Sue, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time…sending you hugs❤️
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Leah DeForrest Sue,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Know I am thinking of you and your family at this time.
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Bill and Bonnie Adams Hugs to Sue and all of Kees family and extended. Always enjoyed working with him, his smiles and special hugs. We will miss you my friend until we meet again.
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Allan & April Roberts Kees was a good guy. Always friendly and had a smile and the time of day for you. Saw him a few times when he worked at Country Grocer in Esquimalt. He will be missed by many. Thoughts go to his family at this sad time. Rest in Peace Kees.
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Murray and Jean Webb Sue and all the family
We were truly shocked and saddened to hear of Kees passing. He was such a good friend and a caring and thoughtful person. I will always remember and cherish the fun times we had at work together. Rest In Peace my friend.
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John & Joan McKenzie Dear Sue Thinking of you at this time.
I’m sure I went to school with Kees or some of his brothers and sisters in Sidney. I went to McTavish elementary and North Saanich High . I remember the last name very well but can’t remember the first names.
Kees sounded like a wonderful person and so glad you had such happiness in your married life.
Think about you often….Love John & Bonnie
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Aaron & Cindy Petrie So sorry about your loss.He was an incredible man..He will be missed..
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Dianne Underwood Our deepest sympathies to you all for your great loss – Kees was such a wonderful person to know. We had the pleasure of meeting him (and later working at Kees’ Meats) when we lived in 100 Mile House. He was so well liked by everyone there – such a happy and outgoing personality that made you feel good to be around him. We know this is a difficult time for you all and we hope the sorrow you have in your hearts today will change in time to very fond memories. He will be greatly missed.
Sincere Condolences
Dianne & Steve Underwood
Parksville, BC
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Peter Bono Barb & I were saddened with the news of Kees passing. We will always treasure the friendship we shared with him during our time living in 100 Mile.His easy warm presence & kind heart was a gift shared with many.
Our deepest sympathy to his loving family.Rest in Peace Kees
Peter & Barb Bono
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Bernie Grimes Sad to hear of Kees passing. I worked with Kees and he always had a joke. The one thing I will carry with me forever, is his laugh. Rest in Peace buddy, have a couple cool ones for me.
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Wayne Ruffle Sorry for your loss Kees was my first friend l had when l moved to Sidney in 1959. I saw him for the last time at Costco about two months ago. He was a great friend.
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Cammie and Keith No words can take away the sorrow and hugs cannot take away the pain for you and your family but I hope it helps to know that others care and are thinking of you
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Evan & Dawn McCormick Kees was such a cool guy…..so happy we got to spend time with him in Victoria and meet Sue. We will miss him.
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Andrew Yaworski My uncle Kees was an incredible man. He touched my heart and made such an incredible impression on me growing up. I will always remember the good times, his smile, his laugh, his beautiful blue eyes and the way he wore his heart on his sleeve just like my Opa, I feel I have a lot of the same genes. Rest easy Uncle Kees you will be fondly remembered and never forgotten.
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Deanna Faminoff (Hyland) He was one of the people I truly enjoyed seeing when shopping at Safeway in 100 Mile House. Always smiling, he stopped what he was doing to chat for a minute, and see how I was doing. He will be remembered by the Hyland family. Rest in Peace, Kees.
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Jane Aaaawww, Kees. We never did have those lamb shanks. Enjoy your new adventure, wherever you are. Jane
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Deb and Bryon Hodgkin So sorry to hear about Kees, so very hard to loose a Dad. He was a great guy, such a great sense of humour. We do have such fond 100 Mile Memories. May all your memories sustain you and comfort you as you walk this road ahead.
Kees was always kind to me and had a great sense of humour! Rest in Peace.