Obituary of Florent Joseph van Belleghem

Florent Joseph van Belleghem September 3rd, 1929 – September 7th, 2015 Born in the village of Eede, The Netherlands, and passed away peacefully after a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by the love of his family. Florent was a devoted husband to his dear Anna (nee Hogenboom), and a wonderful father and teacher to his children Yvonne, Caroline (Doug), Pierre (Natasha), Florent (Nechama), Jacqueline, Joanne, Monique (Fred) and Michelle (Gabe). Much beloved Opa to Megaera, Molly, Joseph, Luke, Melanie, Valerie, Dylan (Amanda), Michael (Jenn), Rick, Steven (Candace), Shawn, Danielle (Ryan), Nina, Ryan (Ashley), Sarah (Kyle), Lindsay, Julian, Christian, Brennan, Bianca & Katarina, and great grandfather to Lucas, Wendel, Emmilene, Roenigk, Charlie, Sierra, Cohen, Richard and Arianna. Florent was predeceased by his parents, Lucien and Marguerite van Belleghem, brother Herman, sisters Julienne and Elisabeth, all of Eede, The Netherlands, brother Maurice of Maldegem, Belgium, and his sister Angella of Maxville, Ontario. He was also predeceased, by his son-in-law Rudy de Taeye (Jacqueline). Florent (Florrie) was a General Motors retiree. At GM he shared his immigrant work ethic with new generations of young auto workers, and was an active member of the CAW/UNIFOR Local 222. Florent was also a loyal Toronto Maple Leafs fan. Most of all, he enjoyed himself immensely when the family gathered to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Visitation will be held at the DeStefano Funeral Home, 1289 Keith Ross Drive, Oshawa (south side of Taunton Road, east of Thornton Road by the Oshawa Airport) 905-440-3595 on Thursday, September 10th from 2:00-4:00 & 7:00-9:00pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, 194 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa on Friday, September 11th at 11:00am followed by interment at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 355 Taunton Road East, Whitby. Memorial donations may be made to support Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre, 86 Colborne St. W., Oshawa, ON L1G 1L7 905-579-4833 or at www.hearthplace.org. Memories may be shared at www.destefanofuneralhomes.ca