February 13, 1926 – April 2, 2023

Andy was born in ‘s-Gravenzande, Netherlands on February 13, 1926 and grew up in Amsterdam with his younger sister, Tini Middelburg.

He started his work career as a bank teller for the Dutch Savings Bank in Amsterdam before doing his mandatory military service in 1945. Obtaining the rank of first Lieutenant in the parachute regiment serving in the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).

On the boat back from the Dutch East Indies, in 1950, Andy met his wife Johanna Maria Wouters who was also doing her compulsory military service in the Dutch East Indies as a Sergeant in the Royal Netherlands Navy. They married in Amsterdam in 1951 and, soon after, immigrated to Canada and settled in Lethbridge, Alberta.

Initially, Andy bounced through a variety of jobs; helper on a construction site, gardener, window washer and a bartender at a flying club where Johanna worked as a waitress. Their first house contained two rooms and a toilet with no shower/bathtub. Once a week they would visit a neighbour to bath. During this time Andy participated in his favour sport, soccer; captioning the ANAP Football Club.

Eventually, Andy was hired by Northern Electric & Manufacturing Company (Nortel) where he spent most of his working career obtaining a position of Custom Manager. Working for Northern Electric required Andy & Johanna to move to Calgary, Winnipeg, Chateauguay (Montreal) and Oakville (Ottawa). Along the way they raised four children; Adlai, Carla, Bert and Derek. The last few working years, Andy worked for Mitel in Stittsville (Ottawa).

After retirement Andy and Johanna moved to Winnipeg and finally Kamloops to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Andy found pleasure in camping, going for drives, gardening, playing chess, doing word and number puzzles, reading on a variety of topics (especially Louis L’Amour), playing the stock market and watching soccer and the news on TV.

Andy is survived by his wife Johanna and their children Adlai (Anne) of Gloucestershire, UK, Carla (Chris) of Baie Verte, NB and Bert of Kamloops; grandchildren Patrick (Abby), Laura, Sarah, Anna Murray (Frederic), Andrew and Nicolle. He was predeceased by his parents Cornelis Middelburg and Iefje Middelburg (née Bas), sister Tini Siliakus, son Derek John Middelburg and daughter-in-law Liza Middelburg (née Spratt).

To express a message of condolence, visit Schoening Funeral Services.

• Date : 2023-04-02
• Location : Kamloops