Peter Van Geel of Lucan, at the age of 75, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Friday, May 27, 2022. Pete endured a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Just as he dealt with all experiences in life, he managed his illness with immense strength, grace, and bravery. His loving family walked with him every step of the way. He was a kind, loving partner to Patricia MacDonald, father-like figure and dear friend to her two children, Vicki Billings (Steve) and their children Shelby, and Kevin, and Dennis MacDonald. He will be pawsitively missed by his loyal four legged buddy, Carson. One of Pete’s proudest accomplishments in life was being a father to his three girls, Teresa Schirru (Antonio), Tina Van Eldik (David), and Rebecca Wallace (Owen). Pete was always there for his girls through their ups and downs and always taught them to enjoy every moment life has to offer. His girls couldn’t be more proud to be able to call him ”dad”. Pete held great honour and felt blessed to be called grandpa by his six grandchildren, Sonya, Eve; Ava, Maryn; Isaiah, and Lyla. He took pride and joy in attending their sports games, music concerts, horse back riding lessons, and anything else they were involved in.
Dear brother and brother-in-law of Catherine Van Bussel, Frank and Bridgette Van Geel, Andy Van Geel and Gloria Hodgins, Walda and Gary Barker all of Lucan, John Van Geel and Joe Eagleson of Poplar Hill, Nancy and Bob Flanigan of Ilderton, Mary and Harold McAdam of Allenford, Jack Van Geel of Forest, Keith Van Geel of Ingersoll, Lois Van Geel of London, and Mary Van Geel of Lucan. Fondly remembered by many nieces, nephews and the Rummell and MacDonald families. Predeceased by his sweet heart and first love, Joyce (Rummell) Van Geel (1998), his parents, Catherine (Van Delar) and Jac Van Geel, his step mother Quirna (De Koning) Van Geel, brothers Carl, and George Van Geel, and brother-in-law Chris Van Bussel.
Pete made his mark and set a legacy with his excavating business PVG Excavating throughout the city of London and surrounding area. He made many friends and established many solid business relationships over the years. He was well known and respected in his industry. He was the most kind and generous man to anyone he encountered. He shared his knowledge and wisdom and often a whiskey with those he spent time with.
Pete’s most desirable hobby was fishing, he was never short of a tale to tell about how big his catch was each time he was out on the water. Each year, he looked forward to his fishing trip with his buddies in Mindemoya (Manitoulin Island). Abundant memories were made at the island on Onaping Lake with friends but especially his family. Pete was a dedicated volunteer firefighter with Lucan Biddulph for over 20 years and an active member of the community his whole life.
A celebration of Pete’s life will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 223 Main Street, LUCAN on Saturday, June 18th from 1 – 3 PM. Please join the family in honouring a life well lived. Cremation has taken place. Private family interment St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Lucan.
Donations to Lucan Community Memorial Centre Renovation Project (cheques payable to Township of Lucan Biddulph – Renovation) or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
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).
Ernie O'Neill
It has been many years since we were in the same class at Saint Mary’s School. My condolences to the family.
Rhonda Corsi
To the Van Geel and McDonald families,
Deepest condolences for the passing of Pete. Vic, Steve, Shelby and Kevin I know he will be missed.
Rhonda, Mike and Owen.
Fred Lewis
To the Van Geel families. So sorry to here of Pete’s passing , Sending sincere condolences to all the family. Lillus Riddell and Fred Lewis
Jim and Helen Hearn
Pat, Teresa, Tina, Becky and families,
Our sincere sympathy to all of Pete’s loved ones. Jim has so many great memories of Pete from his days working at Hearn’s Dairy and then later playing baseball together. Your Mom and Dad were on the first cruise that we took. Pete advised us and helped us with a number of problems around the farm. We treasure all the wonderful memories over so many years. It was an honour to be one of your Dad’s friends. Rest in peace, Pete.
Jim and Helen
Janice Dobinson
Pat & VanGeel family, sorry to hear the news. I hadn’t seen Pete for sometime- he could always bring a smile to your face. My thoughts are with you.
Peter Heywood
To Rebecca and your family. My condolences to you and your family. Your father seemed like a wonderfully warm man who brought joy and smiles to all around him. May his memory remain in your heart and mind forever.
Martha
Theresa, Tina, Becky, Pat and Extended Family,
Sending our love and deepest sympathy with very fond memories
of fun events from the past and coming forward. Stay strong for one another.
Love Aunt Martha and her Family
Karen Birk
Rebecca Owen and families. We are saddened to hear of the loss of your dad Rebecca. He was a wonderful person and loving grandfather to Isiah and Lylia. Cherish your memories love Aunt Ruth, Uncle Don, Karen Birk and family, Keith, Carol and family.
Irene (Gysemans) and Ron Schelfhaut
so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He will be remembered
Lynda Cifa
Dear Becky & family. I was so very sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad. Please know that I am thinking about you with understanding sympathy and I hope that your memories of your Dad will bring you peace. Christina and I think about you all the time. Love Lyn Cifa
Tim Ryan
Pat and the Van Geel family, so sorry for your loss. Pete will certainly be missed. Pete always had the best smirk that turned into a laugh.
Tim Ryan
Diane Rummell
Pat, Teresa, Tina, Becky and families – Was so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing, you have every reason to be proud to call him Dad, keep all those precious memories pressed between the pages of your heart…sending love and hugs to all.
Aunt Diane
Jackie Arnold and Ken Whiting
Teresa ,Tina,Becky,Vicki,Dennis,Pat. So sorry to hear about the passing of Pete. He was a great man to the community and always there to help. Sending our prayers to you all during this difficult time. Cherish his memories. R.I.P. Pete
Cathy and Bruce Cornish
Pat, Teresa, Tina and Becky
We are so sorry to hear about Pete’s passing. Please except our condolences in this very difficult time. Thinking if you all.
Cathy and Bruce Cornish
Dale Cook
My heartfelt condolences to all of the Van Geel and Mac Donald family on Pete’s passing
Carole Damen
Sending sincere sympathy , thoughts and prayers for all the family
Cindy Fisher Bailey
I am so very sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He was a great neighbour on Willow May he Rest In Peace Cindy
Ruth Murphy
My condolences to the family on the passing of Pete. How I remember the Van Geels when they arrived from Holland and attended S S # 4 on Highway 23!
Ruth Morkin Murphy
Joe & JoAnn Dewan
To the Van Geel and McDonald families our condolences on Pete’s passing . He did a lot of work for the township back in the day . He will be missed.
Reg and Joan Crawford1
To Pete’s “Three girls and their families and to Pat and her family We are so saddened to hear of Pete’s passing. He was such and great guy, lots of fun and always enjoyed his company. He will be missed in the community. His excavating work was top notch. Rest in peace Pete!
Pat Ryan
My condolences on Pete’s passing. A great guy that will be missed in our community.
Janet Bumstead
Teresa, Tina, Becky, Pat & families,
My sincere condolences on Pete’s passing. He was a very caring and hard working man and always took time to have a chat on the occassional times I ran into him over the years. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. I hope that your many good memories help you in the days going forward.
Lawrence & Carol Amos
Pat, Teresa, Tina, Rebecca and Families:
Our sincere sympathy to each of you. Pete always had a smile and a great sense of humor. When building at Lake Onaping his knowledge was a wonderful asset, and he always caught the biggest fish. May your many special memories help each of you through this difficult time.
Sincerely Lawrence & Carol Amos
Doug & Joanne Latta
Sending lots of love and our sincere condolences.
Leroy and Nancy Maguire
To the Van Geel family
So sorry for your loss of Pete. Our condolences. He will be missed.
Leroy and Nancy Maguire
Bonnie Manders
Sincere Sympathy to Pete’s girls, their families and the VanGeel family. RIP Pete.
Gary and Sue Wilcox
Pat, Teresa, Tina, Rebecca and family’s. We are so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. Such a great guy who was always there to lend a hand.
Hold on tight to all of your wonderful memories.
Gary and Sue Wilcox
Liz Hodgins & Alan Gates
To the Van Geel Families,
Our sincere condolences on the loss of Pete. He had a wonderful life and touched the lives of many. May he RIP. 🙏
Jeff and Kelly McFalls
Pat and the Van Geel family, so sorry for your loss. Pete will be missed. Great guy.
Jeff and Kelly McFalls
Clive and Marilyn (nee Hearn) Bowden
We are sending deepest condolences to all of Pete’s family on the loss of such a great guy. We always enjoyed our chats with him, and have fond memories of baseball days. He will be missed!
James Scott
Pat and family and Van Geel families at this time of deep and very personal sadness. Please know that caring thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with you. Jim
Tom & Mary Ann McLaughlin
Our condolences to Pat and the entire Van Geel family. We were saddened to hear of Pete’s passing but know he is now at peace. He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.
RIP Pete.
julie Armitage
Sorry for your loss, I remember when Pete was an orderlie at St. Josephs hospital. popping wheelies with wheel chairs with patients in them, I always thought he was great as are the whole Van Geel family!
LindaHayter
Gary and I are so sorry to hear of Pete,s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very hard time.
Steve Revington
So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with the Van Geel family at this difficult time.
Sheila Hodgins
To Pat and families my sincere condolences to you all on the passing of Pete. Hold tight the many memories you have during this very sad time. Good Bless!
Gerald Lenders
John and Joe, Nancy and Bob,
We are so sorry to read of the loss of your brother Pete. Our sincere condolences to you. Thinking of all of you at this very sad time.
Gerald and Brenda Lenders
Kara Melillo
Teresa and family,
We were very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Our thoughts & sympathies are with you, and all of your family, during this sad time.
Kara and David Melillo
Scott and Michelle Rummell
Teresa, Tina, Becky, Pat and families,
We are so sorry for your loss. We always enjoyed our conversations with Uncle Pete, such a great man! We pray that your memories will bring you comfort in the difficult days ahead.
Scott and Michelle
Doug & Linda Scott
Patricia & Van Geel families
So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing.
Our deepest sympathy at this very sad & difficult time.
Doug & Linda Scott
Linda&Dale Froats
Pat and family and all the Van Geel families, We were so saddened to hear of Pete’s passing. He will be missed by so many. Dale & Linda
Pete & Pat Van Geleuken
To Pat & the Van Geel family, Pete & I extend our deepest condolences on your loss of a great guy! We have many memories of his company digging foundations for our shop & home, as well as many laughs shared with Pete over the years, and the great Christmas parties he & his family used to throw every year. We thought very highly of him & he will be missed.
Keri Brown
Dear Pat and family,
Our deepest condolences to you and your family. Thinking of everyone during this difficult time.
Love , Keri, Sean, Charlie, Ken & Sue Brown
Larry Lewis
To the Van Geel and McDonald families
It is with sadness that we hear of Pete’s Passing. He was a good person and always willing to lend a hand and good for some laughs on our fishing trips. There was always a debate if he caught the biggest fish. May all the memories be with you.
Larry and Lynda Lewis
John & Mary Walls
To the Van Geel family;
Thinking of everyone at this difficult time.
Frank and Dianne Dietrich
To Pat and the Van Geel family
Our sincere condolences on the passing of Pete, Frank has many stories and memories growing up around the VanGeel family, Pete was a hard worker and well liked in the community and neighborhood, we’re he was always willing to help someone out, he will be missed by many. Frank and Dianne Dietrich
Wilma Van Bussel
My deepest condolences to the Van Geel (Van Bussel) family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Joyce Sovereign
Sorry to hear and read of Pete’s death,my sympathy to you Pat, Vicki and Dennis .Sending caring thoughts to Pete’s girls and family as well .I remember when we first moved back to Lucan in 1966,on Langford Dr.Pete was working for Hearn’s dairy ,driving horse and milk wagon ,he was just a handsome young guy then .
My sincere sympathy to all of Pete’s siblings as well .
Glen and Linda Finch
Walda
To you and your whole family…. we are SO sorry to hear Pete passed away. Such a loss of such a great guy. I know your family is heartbroken.
Praying your memories will be of much comfort.
You are in our thoughts and prayers
Hugs…. Glen and Linda
Don and Diane Williams
To the Van Heel and McDonald Families Our sincere condolences to your entire families, we know Pete will be sadly missed by each and everyone. Please know we are thinking of everyone during this difficult time.
Deb Timmermans
I am so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. I was blessed to spend lots of time as a child playing at the VanGeel house and have so many wonderful memories. Always kind and patient and a great sense of humour. I know he will sorely missed. My condolences to you all
Marty &Karen Van Praet
Wishing you peace at this difficult time
Julie McCann
Dear; Pat, Teresa, Tina and Becky
Our sincere condolences to you all. Pete was a great friend to many including my father John Riddell, he will be miss by the entire community. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
Prayers,
Julie, Nathan McCann and family
Joe & Marla Wilson
Joe and I extend our most heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. May the wonderful memories you have help to ease the pain in your heart today and the days ahead. He may be gone, but remember no one can take all the memories you have. May you be comforted by the out pouring of love surrounding you. Hold tight to your memories for comfort and lean on family and friends for strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Joan Robson
Thinking of you .
Remember the fun times.
Ralph an Joan
Don Appleby
Patricia, I am so sorry to hear of Peter’s passing.
Thinking of all of you at this most difficult time.
Cherish all you precious memories and hold them
close to your heart.
Don Appleby
Helga Howald
My deepest sympathies at the passing of Pete. My thoughts and prayers are with the Van Geel family.
Ray & Sue Heffernan
To the Van Geel & McDonald Families, Our Sincere Sympathy on your loss of Pete, Our Thoughts & Prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Ray & Sue Heffernan
Glenn & Sue Rollings
Andy and Aunt Gloria. Sorry to hear of the loss of your brother Andy. You are in our thoughts. Glenn & Sue
Anita Van Geel May
Layers of love to all of the family, and holding a special place in my heart for Teresa, Tina and Rebecca. At this time I am honoured to remember the gift of Uncle Pete in the lives of myself, Jason, my Mom and my Dad. I am hearing his laugh, feeling a hug, and celebrating that he is in good company now and always.
Kevin Hutchinson & Tammy
Sorry to hear the passing of Pete. I worked for Pete at PVG for years. He was a great man and will be missed. RIP Pete
Evelyn Clymans
Tina and family and Teresa and family
Sending condolences on the passing of your father.
Brenda Fred Smith
To the family’s of this so kind hearted man Fred enjoyed his time up fishing having a whiskey or two myself I loved just having a chat and whiskey lol he was always so happy to have a chat Big Hugs
Always keep the good times close to your heart
Gord & Sharlene Worrall
Our sincere sympathies to Pete’s family and friends. We have wonderful memories of Pete from when we lived in Lucan in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Pete coached my baseball team and we enjoyed many baseball team parties. In recent years, we enjoyed seeing Pete at music jams in Lucan and Christmas music jam parties held at Pete’s. I still remember Pete betting me that Sharlene and I would be having a girl as our first child, and Pete won the bet. Pete will be missed by many.
Linda Upcott nee Hodgins
So sorry to hear of your loss
Dan & Judy Alce
We were very sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you during this sad time.
Deanna White
Dear VanGeel family. We are so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. Sending our condolances to all. Deanna and Scott White.
Chris Gysemans
My sincere condolence to Pete’s entire family. I am so sorry for your loss
Darlene Varley Lightfoot
Frank and Bridgette.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother (in law). Your in my thoughts and prayers.
Darlene Lightfoot
Anne Pincombe
Dear VanGeel Family,
Sending condolences on the passing of Peter.
He will be missed in the community, but always remembered.
Thinking of all of you at this sad time in your lives.
Tom Hearn
I am so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing. He was a good friend of the family during our Walloy Hearn baseball days and I was fortunate enough to golf with him on many occasions. He was a real good guy. He will be missed. You have my deepest condolences.
Sherri Coombs
My deepest and sincerest condolences Rebecca, I know how much your father meant to you and my heart is aching for you. Much love your forever friend Sherri.
Cheryl
I’m sorry Rebecca for you and your family. I know how a girl loves her dad. Take spirit in the lovely memories you have and never forget him. Love to you and Owen, Lyla and Isaiah
Cheryl and Don
Glenn & Sharleen Phillips
To the Van Geel and McDonald Families
So sorry to hear of Pete’s passing he was a real gentleman.
Pat Goertz
Our sincere condolences to all of you on the passing of your partner, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Pete was a friendly man who loved chatting with all who crossed his path. RIP Pete.
Ben and Pat Goertz