Albert Sikma passed away peacefully on October 15, 2022, nine days into his 89th year. He was born on October 6, 1934, in Oisterwijk, the Netherlands, the second youngest of nine children and was known as “Appie” to his friends and family. As a teen, he attended technical school at the Philips Bedrijfsschool in Eindhoven. He wanted to be a pilot, but his father thought it was too dangerous, so instead after graduating he became a seaman and sailed the world as an engineer working in the engine rooms of Dutch merchant ships, with guitar, camera, and shortwave radio in tow.
Al immigrated to Canada in 1957 at the age of twenty-two and first worked as a farm mechanic in Alfred, a small Ontario town along the Ottawa River. He proved himself more than able when his employer realized he could not only repair tractor engines, but also build his own replacement parts. This foreshadowed his brilliance in all things mechanical.
In 1960, he met his future wife Teuntje (Tina) Bavelaar, also a recent Dutch immigrant, at a church picnic in Plantagenet, another small Ottawa River town. Al and Tina were married November 4, 1961, in Navan, just outside Ottawa.
Before long, daughter Alice was born. Over the next three years, the family moved to Napierville, Quebec, where Al took another job as farm mechanic, and then on to Kingston, where Al worked as a shipyard mechanic and machinist. In Kingston, daughter Jenny was born.
In 1965, Al demonstrated his academic ability when he was hired as a nuclear operator at the newly opened Douglas Point nuclear generating station. The family then moved to Kincardine, where son Gerald was born.
It was in Kincardine that Al designed and built his first – but not last – house, complete with indoor, in-ground pool and a pool heating system of original design.
Over the years, thanks to his can-do, problem-solving attitude, he mastered all the following skills: bricklayer, plumber, architect, electrician, cabinetmaker, toymaker, dollhouse-maker, carpenter, stonemason, and mechanic. It is possible this list is not complete. He helped his children and friends with countless hands-on projects. Those who knew him well believed there was nothing in the trades that he could not design, build, or fix at a professional level.
Church and community-involvement were important to Al. He was a Kincardine Town Councillor and an elder in the Kincardine Christian Reformed Church.
After retirement in the late 1990s, Al and Tina moved to Goderich. They took many camping trips in their fifth wheel trailer, sometimes just the two of them and their dog Daisy, sometimes with children and/or grandchildren along on the trip.
Al was a supportive, non-judgemental, creative, loyal, dutiful, generous, and gentle man who never said an unkind word about anyone.
He is predeceased by his parents Gerk Sikma and Janke (Scheffer) Sikma, and survived by his sister, Riek Van Mazyk, sister-in-law Anita Sikma, and brother-in-law Siebe DeJong.
He will be deeply missed by his wife, Tina, his children Alice (Dale), Jenny, and Gerald, his grandchildren Kim (Dan), Kyle, Faegen, Saskia, Alyjah, and Seth, and great-grandchildren Avah, Demi, and Paisley.
Our thanks go out to Al’s palliative care team lead by Dr. Natuik and nurse practitioner Alison Clark, and to Goderich Place and Huron Hospice.
There will be no funeral home visitation or service, a celebration of life will be held in the spring. Cremation has already taken place. If so desired, memorial donations to the Salvation Army and Huron Hospice are gratefully appreciated.
Shared by Jenny Sikma
Shared by Christa Prins
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).
Angela Van Mazyk
Dear Aunt Tina and family,
Our hearts go out to you all! Uncle Albert was an amazing man and had accomplished so much in his lifetime! Always a kind heart and was so heartwarming to be around him and the family ♥️ We wish you all much comfort and peace now, and always ♥️🙏 Our love to you all ♥️♥️
Denis and Doreen Hainsworth
Our sincere condolences to you and your family! Although we didn’t spend huge amounts of time together, we were delighted that you both took the time to stop in to visit us in Alberta! We always enjoyed those visits, hearing all the fun stories! And the visits of my (Doreen) younger years…I will always remember Uncle Al’s infectious laugh after telling a great story! I also was in awe of his intelligence and how capable he was. He truly was a very gifted man! And the love and pride of his family shone through brightly! Much love to all of you.
Jerry Dvorak
The obituary is rich on Al’s accomplishments but one of his significant achievements has not been mentioned.
Al was a licensed first nuclear operator at Bruce A station.
In my first years at Bruce A, I worked as a shift mechanical maintainer on the same crew as Al.
One night shift, we were working on some lines in one of the instrument rooms, when Al suddenly popped in and stopped us saying “you guys almost made a trip”.
We didn’t realize how close we were to tripping an 800MW reactor.
Al prevented it.
You were highly respected Al. Rest in peace.
Jerry Dvorak.
Bob and Ria Middelkamp
Tina and family. Our sincere condolences with the loss of Al, a husband, father and grandpa. He was a kind and quiet person. He will be missed by all of you.
Gerald Sikma
There are no words for how fantastic a person and father my dad was. He exemplified the qualities of kindness, compassion, selflessness and honor in all his actions, if I could have wished for the perfect dad it would have been him. I have not one bad memory of him and all I know today is based on his never ending teachings that he took every moment to pass on to me. In our life there was no need for an Encyclopedia for his wealth of knowledge was never ending. I will miss him everyday but know he is in heaven and heaven itself is blessed by his presence. Thank you dad for everything you have done, for all that you are, I will hold you in my heart for time in memorial.
Myra [email protected]
Our sincere condolences to Tina and family. You were such great neighbours. Al was a kind and nice man and he will be missed. Bill and Myra Henry
Christa Prins
Rest in paece dear uncle Albert.
Carolyn & Chris Carter
Our sincere condolences to Tina and Family! Al was a wonderful neighbour as we used to live right beside them on Rich Street. Always took time to stop and talk to us. He as a lovely man and will be truly missed.
Chris & Carolyn Carter
Mary Ann Cruickshank
Alice, I never met your Dad, but, I certainly heard lots of stories about him and your Mom from you. I am so very sorry to hear about his passing. Having lost my mother recently, I know how very important all the good memories are – treasure them. My condolences to you and Dale and your girls.
Mary Ann
Deb Austin
Hugs to all of you….he was one of my favourite people….lovely gentleman would be a great description…..
Connie Tasker
Deepest sympathies to Tina and her family! Al is finally at peace and no more sickness. I got to know Tina and Al when they moved to Goderich Place where I volunteer. The sad thing is I should have known them sooner as they just lived down the street on Rich Street. My husband Kevin met them when he sold them their car.
Remember the happy times you and Al have shared to help you through these difficult times!
Patty & John Hodges
Sincere condolences to Tina & family. Al & Tina were our neighbours when they first moved to Goderich. Al was always here to lend a helping hand when needed. Rest easy Al!
Christie Marquez
I will always be grateful to Al for building my unique cupboard/counter for my first independent hygiene clinic. He took a simple chest of drawers and turned it into a corner counter and drawers for equipment and supplies! He was truly amazing, kind and brilliant. I will miss him dearly.
Yolanda Hughes
My dear Uncle. Always positive, happy and there whenever someone needed anything. I love you and will miss you deeply.
Marije Schalkwijk-Kraima
What a sad sad news, Al. I still remember our visit to you and Tina during our honymoon in 1997. I had heard so much about the two of you and we finally got to meet eachother. We had some wonderful days at your lovely place. Sending lots of love and a few big hugs to you in heaven ❤️💋
Frederik Schalkwijk
Tina veel sterkte gewenst in deze moeilijke tijd heb jullie nog altijd in gedachte.
Frederik
Ewout Schalkwijk
Hoi Al, slechts drie keer hebben we elkaar ontmoet maar ik kende je als een fijn en warm persoon. Ik ben er zeker van dat Tina en de kinderen je erg gaan missen, maar dat ze kunnen terugzien op heerlijke jaren samen met je.
Veel liefs van ons voor de achterblijvers.
Groeten,
Ewout
Jenny Sikma
There is no words to express the loss we feel. Our Father was an amazing man that showed so much love, support, joy, laughter and family values. I will always have him close to my heart and think of all the amazing moments we shared in this life. I love you Dad forever and always ❤️