It is with deep sadness we had to say good-bye to Johannes Antonius Petrus (John) de Groot, who passed peacefully at the age of 86, surrounded by his loving family on April 16, 2025, at the Mariposa House Hospice in Orillia, Ontario.
John was born on April 3, 1939, in Boxmeer, Holland. He immigrated to Canada with his parents and eight siblings in 1952. The de Groot family first settled in the Whitby area, then later in Beaverton. John was a man of many talents, coming from a family of masons and home builders, eventually becoming a licensed electrician and refrigeration mechanic. He founded de Groot Refrigeration and was known for his ability to fix anything. As he would often say, “If you ain’t handsome, then you gotta be handy”—and he was both!
John was the son of the late Johannes (1993) and Maria (1998) de Groot and was predeceased by his siblings Theodorus, Josephine, Peitrus, and Cornelius, as well as in-laws Glen, Kevin, Wilhi, Dave, and Bert.
He leaves behind his loving wife Ursula (Kubart), with whom he shared 59 years of marriage, and their six children: Johnny (Jo), Franky, Ursula (Les), Theresa (Neal), Mike (Rosa), and Liesa (Bud). He was a cherished Opa to grandchildren Nicole (Brayden), Jessica (Fred), Jaime-Leigh, Nigel (Laura), Matthew (Michaela), Alexia, Sarah (Johnny), Cloey (Zach), Micheal, James, and Bella, and Great Opa to Carter, Rylee, Elija, Alexandria, Miya, Johanna, Cooper, Jovi, and Harlow.
John will be dearly missed by his siblings Agnes, Mieke, Petrus, Marijke, Antonia, and Frans (Yvonne), as well as his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members, many of whom considered him a favourite uncle.
The family extends heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate staff at Oak Terrace and especially the team at Mariposa House Hospice. Their genuine care and the dignity with which John was treated, including blessings from Reverend Jim, will never be forgotten.
Visitation will be held at Mangan Funeral Home (332 Osborne Street, Beaverton, Ontario) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. A reception will be held at the Beaverton Legion (517 Mara Rd 4, Beaverton) from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
