Monday, April 20, 2020
We will always remember Ellwood with his dry sense of humour and as being a busy handyman around the house. He was always busy performing home maintenance at home and for others in the neighborhood or tinkering in the garage.He rarely sate idle. It was not unusual to see him up on the roof even in his retirement years! He also made so many wonderful wood projects on his lathe and treasured old things that could be repaired or repurposed. Nothing ever went to waste! Many of us have pieces in our home that he made for us.
He often spoke of his mother who has long passed with much love and he treasured their memories together. We enjoyed hearing about his time with her in Bahamas. He always told us all stories about his work with the Town of Bowmanville Works Dept- A job he truly loved and took great pride in right up to the end. So proud he was to point out things he personally had done or talk about the people he worked with.
His life with our Mom, Eunice English, was true and steady. He was a gentle and caring man to her and to all of her children and often told us we were "his" which we never doubted. He opened up his heart and home- He was our chosen dad! All our own children grew up calling him Grampa. When he became ill his biggest concern was that Eunice would be taken care of which only speaks to his selfless loving care and concern.
He will be greatly missed by our family. We will take over the watch now Ellwood- Until we meet again....
Love Dirk and Lorraine Van Ooyen, Amanda and Steve King, Kolton and Kayden King, Collin and Suzanne Van Ooyen and Baby Van Ooyen xxxxoooo