GRIFFIOEN, Wilfred ‘Wim’ Griffioen

He was promoted to glory on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 7:35 a.m.—one day shy of his 90th birthday. Born September 15, 1935, in Baambrugge, the Netherlands, Wim was the fourth of nine children. With a lively household like that, he learned early how to make his voice heard, be sociable and how to fix what was broken.

Wim’s story of adventure began when he met his soon-to-be wife Agnes in Montargis, France, a nurse with a sharp wit and an even sharper eye for character. He knew right away she was the one, and in 1958 he crossed the ocean to Canada, where the two were married on September 26, 1957. They quickly learned how to juggle many activities: Agnes working as a nurse while Wim finished his business degree, and together managing an apartment building where, as legend has it, there was nothing “Super Wim” couldn’t fix.

Eventually, they settled in North York, where they spent most of their married life raising a family, welcoming neighbours, and strengthening the Christian education community. Wim gave countless hours to the boards of Willowdale Christian School and Toronto District Christian High, and served as elder and committee member at Bethel Canadian Reformed Church. Even well into retirement, Wim insisted his “spare time” be filled with work for Christian Schools International and Bethel’s Committee of Management.

Retirement, however, was not all meetings and minutes. Wim travelled, cherished his grandchildren, and made a point of knowing every neighbour by name – he earned the nickname of “Mayor of Caines Ave.” He had a unique gift for hospitality: no Sunday afternoon was too short for an extra guest, and no visit was complete without coffee, conversation, and a good laugh. He believed a home was not just a roof over your head, but a place to welcome in others.

Wim was predeceased by his beloved wife Agnes and is survived by his children, grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, who will miss his wisdom, his warmth, and his endless ability to tinker, fix, and befriend.

In his 90 years, Wim wore many hats—student, superintendent, businessman, elder, board member, neighbour, consultant, friend, husband, father, and Opa. But to those who knew him best, he will be remembered simply as Wim: the man who always had time for people, a strong cup of coffee, and just one more story while sharing his “hopje” candies.

He is survived by 5 siblings in Holland:

– Jan Griffioen

– Johan Griffioen

– Sophia Griffioen

– Jacobus Griffioen

– Alice Griffioen

And his children:

Waterloo: Doug (Claire) – Derek (Mackenzie) and their son Nolan, Colin, Janna

Abbotsford: Ed (Trudy) – Nikita (Guido), Wyatt (Paige) and their daughter Jane

Toronto: Carol (Cris) – Providence (Juan), Merced, Allegra

Leiden, NL: Carla – Denzel, Brandon, Sydney

Toronto: Tony March

Visitation at Bethel Canadian Reformed Church, 11251 Bayview Ave., Richmond Hill on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 9:00pm. Funeral Service at Bethel Canadian Reformed Church on Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 10:00am. Interment to follow at Highland Memory Gardens.