Lippe Catharinus de Haan II, born October 8, 1933, died peacefully at his home on May 6, 2014, at the age of 80 after a resolute, grace-filled battle against cancer. A longtime resident of Exeter, Ont., he enjoyed life fully, but knew too that death would not have the final word, thanks to the promises of Easter and Ascension Day.
Known to many in Exeter as Al, he immigrated to Canada with his family when he was 18 years old, having lived through World War II, the occupation of the Netherlands and its liberation. He worked for eight years as a machinist in Owen Sound to earn enough money for college. He also spent an extended stay in the Freeport Sanitorium in Kitchener for tuberculosis, a regimen that included dozens of pills a day, something he recalled during his cancer treatment when the pills also were numerous. It was in “the San” that he learned to love cribbage, a game he continued to play with his kids and grandkids even up until his final weeks.
Lippe graduated from Calvin College, in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in English and worked as a teacher thereafter, including a quarter of a century at South Huron District High School. He loved words and music (he was a church organist and church choir director for many years), loved to learn and was an inveterate crossword puzzler. His favorite hobby was racing homing pigeons, and for four decades his birds faithfully returned to his backyard coop after training runs and the races of the Lucan Racing Pigeon Club.
Lippe is survived by his wife Catharina and by his children: Phil and Sue de Haan of Grand Rapids, Joanne and Mark Abolt of Grand Rapids, Derek and Lorissa de Haan of London and Tess de Haan and Bryan McDonald of London. Also by nine grandchildren, brothers Harold (Betty) and Bob (Trudy) de Haan, sisters Stien (d. Hans) Nusselder and Rolina (Henk) Hultink, and brothers-in-law George (d. Trynie) Mackowski, John (Susan) Derijk and Dick (Faye) DeRyk as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family will receive visitors on Monday, May 12 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the Exeter United Church, 42 James Street, with a service and light lunch to follow. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider donations to either Habitat for Humanity Huron County (Lippe was a longtime volunteer at Habitat’s ReStore in Exeter) or the newly established L.C. de Haan Scholarship Fund in the English department at Calvin College.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Ed Cosman
Dear Ena, Phil, Joanne, Derek and Tess:
Al touched many lives over the years including mine.
I will never forget the time he insisted that I should no longer participate in the male chorus at church. He told me that I had no musical talent (I had tried to tell him that but he would not believe me). He finally agreed.
I also recall the time that he refused to allow me in the Catechism class he was teaching when that day I had been sprayed by a skunk.
Please accept my condolences during these difficult times and treasure all the good ones.
Sandra Newton
Dear Ena and family,
My sympathy to the DeHaan family as they say goodbye to their loved one. It is a difficult time but made somewhat easier knowing of God’s assurance that Al has been welcomed into his heavenly home. Al was an easy person to converse with on many topics. He shared his love for music by directing the church choir and by singing in the community choir; a gift to us. He will be remembered fondly by many.
Shannon Dougherty
Ena & Family
I will miss Al’s waves through the backyard at Dad’s…and our many good natured and passionate debates about the world. He is also the reason I love Shakespeare. I’m grateful I was able to share that with him during one of our many chats over the years. He also taught me a love for those pigeons. Who would’ve thought I’d get such joy having them use me as a take off station inside the coops :) May you all be sustained by his love for you.
Shannon D.
Bill & Audrey Rowe
Sincere sympathy to each of you at this very difficult time. Bill Audrey and Larry Rowe
Paul and Mary McDonald
TTess and Bryan
Sorry to hear of your loss our thoughts are with you both.
Mary and Paul
Vern and Mona Alderdice
So sorry to hear of Al’s passing. He was a fighter until the end,
Our sympathy to you Ena and family. Habitat will never be the same without Al’s smile and willing hands.
Bill lanham Polymer Packaging
Dear JoAnne, Mark & family,
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. May your Father rest in peace.
From all of us,
Polymer Packaging Inc.
Bart and Ann DeVries
Ena and Family
May the happy times and memories give you strength and may you know that you are in our thoughts at this time. Take care of each other and find strength in peace. Bart and Ann
Ken and Lois Ottewell
To Ena and family, It was a pleasure to be associated with Al when we were teaching at South Huron District High School. I am sure that his students appreciated the fact that he was a good teacher and a role model. We send sincere sympathy to all of you. May God bless you as you mourn his passing.
Ken and Lois Ottewell,
St. Ives., B.C.
Jack Brennan
I am very sorry for your loss.
I enjoyed racing the pigeons with Al.
Holly Rousseau
Tess, Ben, Hank, Luke and family:
My heartfelt sympathy to you all on this enormous loss. Please know I’m thinking of you guys and my heart is with you, especially as you make your way through these next difficult days. Please reach out to me if you need anything at all, I’m always around.
Big hugs. Hang on to your amazing stories and memories, for they will be what helps get you through this. You dad sounds like an amazing man, and the legacy (his family) that he leaves behind is just as equally amazing.
Much love,
Holly
Sheri Haines
My deepest sympathy to the de Hann family. It sounds as if Al was a well loved man all around. My thoughts are with you all in this sad time.
Joy Parent
My deepest sympathies for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Tom Hartai
Catharina :
Please accept my deepest condolences at this difficult time.
Al will be missed by so many in the community.
God’s blessings to you and your family.
Tom Hartai and family
Larry & Sandra Idle
Our sincere sympathy to Ena and family. Larry remembers the good times spent working with Al and Carl Mill in the sugar bush. The community will miss him.
RON & ELAINE BOGART
To Ena & Family
Sorry to hear of Al’s passing. We had some great times and memories of our time at SHDHS. Al always greeted with a smile and some small “story” about someone at SH. It was a pleasure to have the kids in my classes. We could always “kid” with Al about his Dutch ancestry (come to discover I have Dutch ancestors).
Our family offers the deepest sympathy to the whole DeHaan Family.
Our prayers are with you.
Claire & Winona Hoffman
DeHann family,
Sorry to hear of the passing of Al. Our heart and prayers are with all the family at this sad time.
Claire & Winona Hoffman and Family.
Margaret (Schendera) Watt
To the DeHann Family
Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this time.Al belonged to the Lucan Homing Pigeon Club the same time we did many years ago.We always enjoyed our visits . When he was “Press Secretary” for the club he had a unique way of reporting the race results in the Times Advocate. This was enjoyed by all the past and present members at that time
Marilyn Waldeck
Ena and Family,
Thinking of you and your family at this time with the loss of Al and hope that all the good memories shared with him will help you through the days ahead. God bless,
Carl & Jean Mills
Our Sincere Sympathy, to you Ena and your family. Al will be greatly missed in the church choir and at the Habitat store.
May God be with you during the days ahead.
Bernie & Marsha Miedema
Dear Ena, Phil, Sue, Joanne, Mark, Derek, Lorissa, Tessica and Bryan:
Marsha and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to you, with the passing of Lippe.
Lippe meant so much to our family. His gift of gab, his penchant for music and his love for humanity are an inspiration to us. He will be sorrily missed.
One image that Marsha and I will always associate with his passion is…
Lippe standing on a stage, brightly smiling, using his pitch pipe to hit the right note, lifting his shoulders and arms and engaging a group of singers. Lippe was a good man, a great director and a good friend.
We will miss him.
Bernie & Marsha Miedema.
Tracey Stanlake
My sincerest and deepest condolences go out to Ena and the family at this time. I never had Al as a teacher but I was very privileged to have Al as a long time volunteer at the ReStore. The store has never been the same since Al retiring from us. I miss his witty humor and his dedication to making sure I had enough volunteers every day to make my job easier. He made sure to turn any frown upside down on any face he saw… especially mine! I will also miss his breaking into song at the drop of a hat… :). I will miss you. May you be singing with the Angels now my dear friend!
Ron and Anne Helm
To Catharina and family,
Our most sincere sympathies go to you and your family at this time. Our association with Al goes back the the 1970’s through soccer activities. We shared a love of this sport and had many a wonderful conversation over the years.
Ron and Anne Helm
Ellen Hodgins
I worked with Al at the Exeter restore and always enjoyed chatting with him. My sympathy to the DeHaan family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
Don & Donna Webster
Dear Ena & family:
We extended our deepest sympathy to you and your family at
this time. May God give you strength in the days ahead.