VOORN: Thomas “Tom” of Grand Bend
Posted By Haskett Funeral Homes On October 1, 2026 @ 2:27 PM In Exeter, Obituary | 53 Comments
We are heartbroken to share the news that Tom Voorn passed away Monday, September 28, 2026 at the age of 69, in Grand Bend, Ontario.
Born in Amsterdam in 1956, he was the second of three sons born to Annie (Veerkamp) and Joop Voorn. The family moved to London, Ontario in 1969 to the Kipps Lane area, where in a few years he would meet the love of his life, Mary Squires. Mary’s initial notice was of Tom’s ‘69 Cutlass, but she soon fell for the man as well. Tom and Mary were married in 1980 and welcomed their first son Craig in 1987, second son Michael in 1989, and the final and favourite child, Natalie, in 1993. They raised their family in Dorchester and had many happy years in their family home. Tom coached numerous sports teams, volunteered on many
school trips, and walked his children to and from the bus stop every day. When their children were grown, Tom and Mary went on to travel extensively. Across continents, their adventures were great and many. He was always excitedly planning their next trip and talking about where they would go. His children went on to each find wonderful partners in Lauren Schmenk, Jennifer Ymana, and Adam Brewer, taking their own parent’s successful marriage as a great example of partnership and love. Soon Tom welcomed his grandchildren; Chase, Nathan, and Zoey into the world and was thrilled to see his family grow. He was looking forward to any grandchildren yet to come.
When he wasn’t busy travelling or spending time with his family, Tom was always checking things off his to-do list. A creative and capable man, Tom had never-ending ideas about what he wanted to tackle next. The only thing that ever prevented him from completing all his many projects were the endless requests from his children with their own home improvement plans. To his late mother and father, and brothers Bill and Henk, Tom was a devoted son and dependable brother. He went on to become a wonderful husband, dedicated father and proud Opa. Tom and Mary celebrated their 46th anniversary this year, and with each year together their love grew deeper and their lives grew richer. Craig, Michael, and Natalie couldn’t have asked for a better Dad and are so grateful to have had him as their father. His wife Mary and his three children, their spouses, and his grandchildren, were his pride and joy. Family was his everything. He will be sorely missed and always remembered.
Tom will be remembered by wife Mary Voorn, his children and their partners; Craig Voorn and Lauren Schmenk, Michael Voorn and Jennifer Ymana, Natalie Voorn and Adam Brewer, his grandchildren Chase, Zoey and Nathan, his brothers Henk and Shirley Voorn and Bill and Phyllis Voorn, his in-laws Dick and Florence Squires, Irene and Barry Ducharme, and Lisa Squires and Fred Klaudi, many, many nephews, a few nieces, and many great nephews and life-long friends Paul and Heather Berkelmans, Linda and Gregg Narcisso, and many more.
A celebration of Tom’s life will take place at IBEW 120 Union Hall 6688 Tempo Road, London on Saturday October 17th from 1 – 4 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Tom’s life to-do list
✓ Be a good son
✓ Bug my brothers
✓ Marry the love of my life
✓ Create a wonderful life together
✓ Have 3 beautiful children
✓ Be the best Dad in the world
✓ Go on many adventures
✓ Become a super fun Opa
✓ Live well, love all
Hey, guess what? Love you.
Condolences for the family of “VOORN: Thomas “Tom” of Grand Bend”
Such an incredible man. Everyone that knew him will sorely miss Tom. Steve and I are honoured to call Tom and Mary great friends. We will miss going on our many garage sale adventures. Our deepest condolences to Mary, Craig, Michael and Natalie and their significant others and their adorable grandchildren.
Mary&Family,we wish our Sincerest Condolences to you Hon and your family,such a Tragic Loss of a Lovely person,your Tom,The first time I met Tom was after he helped Fergie deliver a hutch in our CLC home,as we weren’t there yet,he was always willing to help wherever he could,we will miss him Hon,Our Thoughts are with you All R.I.P Tom❤️
Mary and children, my condolences on the passing of your husband, father, and grandfather. I wish you a great deal of strength. 🫶
Mary and family, I cannot express the shock and sadness of this news a few days ago. Only a couple of months ago we were enjoying each other’s company here in NL. We are so very sorry for your loss, he was a great human being and enjoyed life so much. Please accept our sincere condolences. Sending you much love and hugs. Rest in Peace Tom.
Heartbroken to hear the news of Tom’s passing. Thinking of you all.
Sure was a shock to us,as I’m more then sure it was to his family ! Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all he was a wonderful man!
In later years Tom was a valued employee for our Co. For that we say THANK YOU.
Our sincere condolences to Mary and family members.
Doug, Karen ,Dean, and all our employees.
Our deepest condolences to all the family
Mary our hearts are broken, you were living your dreams, life can be so unfair. You have so many precious memories & now have to cherish those to get you through the days ahead. ❤️ Sending big hugs to your children/ grand children.
Dear Mary and family. We were shocked and heartbroken to hear of Toms passing. We were lucky to have met you both and spend time with you on our Alaskan cruise. We enjoyed you both as fun loving travellers and wonderful people. We send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Mark and Kathy Allaby
Mary and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences.
Mary and Family
We are so so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. We always enjoyed sitting around with you guys, having a drink and a chat, and telling a few stories. What a great guy! Hold your memories close😘
A few of us got the pleasure to meet you and get to know you.
For the guys that didn’t off or Tuesday night hockey team. Know the apple was the same seed a caring down to earth great human being.
Condolences to the family in this tough time from the Tuesday’s night team that Craig plays with.!
We are here for anything needed at all in a heart beat.
Enjoy the memories and the stories with your family!! ❤️❤️
Hi Voorn family
I am Cindy and was married to Gerard Beaton, Mary’s cousin. I remember many get togethers with the family and remember Tom fondly and even Oma and Opa. My heart goes out to the whole Voorn family and I am soooo sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to all of you. Hugs to you all and he is now with Oma and Opa and even Gerard and I am sure many others. I know even saying this doesn’t help your loss.
So very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing..always a happy guy. Condolences to you Mary and all of the family .
My thoughts are for Mary and family so hard to hear today He was very great at welcoming all and all the past togetherness with the gang of friends and exceptionally intelligent too again so sorry Mary and the family
Our deepest condolences to Mary and family. Ron DeCaluwe /Carol Carter
Mary, Craig, Michael, Natalie and families…. We were heartbroken to hear this news. He was a kind, wonderful man. Gone too early. May your many special good memories of him help you through this tough time.
Tom and Mary’s friendship has been very special to Paul and I and our family. Our many great times together began as teenagers, watching the Maple Leafs with his parents, many basement parties, weddings and our families and then our annual travel adventures !
A thoughtful, funny, hardworking and generous family man. He was proud of you all.
Much love,
Heather and Paul
Mary and family…Bill and I were both deeply saddened to hear of Tom’s sudden passing. Sending you all our most sincere condolences. May all the wonderful memories of your family and trips give you some comfort in the future. Thinking of you at this most difficult time. RIP Tom!
So sorry for your loss Mary and family ! Always enjoyed all the photos of your many adventures ! Ken and I send our warmest condolences!
Mary and Voorn Family; So so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Your in our thoughts and prayers.
Susan and Wayne DeCaluwe-Rudy
Our most sincere condolences to all the family and friends. We knew Tom through his brother Bill, his wife Phyllis and their family. It was always so obvious what a dedicated and loving family the Voorns are and our thoughts are with you all.
Mary, Emma and Families
Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Janis, Chuck and Coco
Tom was a great guy. Worked side by side with Tom for many years at Cami in Ingersoll. sorry to hear of his passing. He will be sadly missed. Condolences to his family.
We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Please know that we are thinking of you and your family. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences.
Dear Craig and Lauren, You and your entire Family are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. Although, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, your Father (Father-in-Law and Opa) seemed like a truly special person, and I know he will be so deeply missed. Our Sincere Condolences ~ Love from Great Aunt Linda and Family
Karen and I got to know Tom and Mary as neighbours in Grand Bend and were thoroughly shocked to hear of his passing.
Tom was a fine man and we would tease him as he and Mary pushed Emma around the neighborhood in the carriage.
He will be missed.
Sending deep condolences to Tom’s family on his passing. I worked with Tom at Cami and we started the same day. He had a great spirit and made work always enjoyable, and he worked hard.
Gone too soon, rest in peace my friend.
Mary & Family:
We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time.
Cherish all the great memories.
Mary, we are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He will be missed. Sending thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Mary and Family, we were shocked and heartbroken to hear of Tom’s passing, we’re so sorry for your loss. Some of my happiest early memories were going camping with Uncle Tom and my Dad and watching them be two of the biggest, loudest, goofballs together, swapping stories around the fire and laughing so hard it’d hurt. One could only hope to have a friend as good as Tom in their lifetime. He will be greatly missed.
Eric, Cat & Penelope
So sad to hear of Tom’s passing. I worked with Tom for 30 years at Cami.
Tom was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour.Big smile and a contagious laugh that I’ll never forget.. My condolences to the Voorn family. May his memory be a blessing to all.
Mary and Family. I am shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Tom’s tragic passing. We have known him a lifetime and can’t imagine it without him in it. He was a kind, generous, caring person and lived life to the fullest. My deepest sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
So very sorry for the loss of this very wonderful man.
Worked with him at Cami the last few years and could always count on a smile and a lively conversation .
Condolences
Kim Young
Mary and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Passing on our deepest sympathies to the Voorn family.
Martha Berkvens and Barry Murphy and families.
Absolutely heartbroken. Praying for all of you, I’m so so sorry.
I am so grateful to have known Tom and to have seen the beautiful life you built together. Sending you my deepest condolences, love and strength.
Sherri and Jason
My dear friend Mary there are just no words to express how sad we are to hear about the passing of Tom. Tom was the kind of person that was so easy to be around. He was kind, funny and full of energy and life. He could build or fix just about anything, and he always did it like he actually enjoyed it. We spent many times together filled with so many happy memories that we as a family will always cherish. He has left a lasting memory with all of us. Craig, Natalie, Michael and your extended family my heart is broken for all of you. Your dad was such a special lifelong friend. He will be missed greatly and will forever hold a special place in our heart.
Our deepest condolences to Mary and the whole family. We are so sad to hear of this wonderful man’s death. Wishing you peace and strength.
Dear Mary and family. Mike and I were so sorry to hear of your beloved Tom’s passing.He was such a lovely, caring man who will be sorely missed.
Take strength and comfort from all the cherished memories of the years you shared.
So sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. Such an easy person to work with (Cami) He was truly a Special Man. He will be missed. Condolences to family
Mary we were so sorry to hear about Tom’s passing. It has always been a pleasure running into you and Tom walking with Emma on Creek Side. We’re thinking of you and your family at this very difficult time – Jen, Steve and Lewis
So very sorry to hear about the passing of Tom. Worked with him for many years at CAMI and shared so many stories of Holland and coming to Canada the same year. A wonderful caring man who has left this earth far too soon. My condolences to all of his family. Rest in ever lasting peace Tom. You will be missed.
Mary and Family…We are deeply shocked and saddened to hear of Tom’s sudden passing. Please know that our thoughts and heartfelt sympathy are with you and your family.
We will miss seeing Tom on his walks with you.
May the wonderful memories you shared bring you comfort in the days ahead!
Our sincere condolences at this very sad time.
Jim and Kathy Young
I was floored to hear of Toms passing…I worked with this man at Cami for 30 yrs, we shared alot of stories and shared alot of laughes…truly a great guy!!!Wow life is too short….please cherish the time u have on this earth…my deepest sympathies goes out to his family
Dearest Mary and family,
I was shocked to hear of Tom’s passing. He will always be remembered as a super dad and cheerleader for the girls soccer team. Between him and John Watkins we lost 2 of the very best dads and cheerleaders. We will always cherish the memories.
Sincere sympathy
Frank and Shelley Coletti and family.
Craig, Mike, Natalie and Mary
We are so very sorry to hear about the passing of Tom.
Sending you all the extra love, strength and peace at this difficult time.
Bev Gardiner (Brush) and family
Mary and Family:
Our sincere sympathies on the loss of your special person.
We consider it a gift to have known Tom and enjoyed his company.
During Tom and Ferns shared work road trips; they talked and planned many projects, shared beloved family stories and made the world a better place with their sage wisdom.
Holding you all in our thoughts and hearts.
A lost of a wonderful human being.
Our condolences go to your family and friends 🧡 🧡.
Dear family,
We were so sorry to hear about Tom’s sudden passing. We will remember him as a kind, warm man. We are grateful that we had the chance to see Tom, Marie and Natalie not too long ago in Amsterdam and it’s strange to think Wim and Mira only just got back from Canada after a visit to the family with Tom in good health. We treasure the connection we share and we’re thinking of you all and sending our heartfelt condolences and love from Amsterdam.
Love,
Jonas, Mirte, Robbe & Lou
My deepest condolences to the Voorn family. I haven’t seen Tom since his retirement from Cami (9 years ago) but I remember clearly his laughter and jokes that he would share when we crossed paths at work.
RIP Tom
Americo Carvalho assy. maintenance
Im so sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. My condolences to Mary and the children
Tom was such a gentleman with a wicked sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye, especially when talking about his grandkids and family.
My condolences to all.
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Amazing man with a heart of Gold.
Always had that big smile on him and was the heart of the party. Loved making jokes but never to put anyone down.
Loved and was an incredible person