23 | durhamregion.com This Week | Thursday, May 12, 2022 MINARD, Brian Douglas January 19, 1958 - April 27, 2022 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ With sad and heavy hearts our family announces the passing of Brian on April 27 at Lakeridge Health Oshawa in his 65th year. Cherished son of Jack Minard and stepson to Janet Minard. Beloved brother to Jean (Henry) and Rick (Yvonne) and is predeceased by his mother Helen Jean Minard (nee Smith). Favourite uncle to Jenn, Thomas, Theresa, Kate and Nathan and adored great uncle to Mackenzie, Hayden, Kiera, Eleanor, Greyson, Finn and Maeve. Brian was fiercely independent and never let his physical limitations stop him. He determinedly taught himself to ride a bike that took him on endless adventures and later he proudly started working at ARC Industries. It was there that he met Debbie who would become his dearest and loved friend for the next 44 years. He also worked at Whitby Land Registry Office, was a member of the Moose Lodge (Oshawa) and volunteered at St. John's Activity Centre. Brian lived on his own until his health declined and moved to Fairview Lodge, Whitby. He loved his home there and was a friend to everyone. Laughter and a smile came easy to him especially after telling a corny joke or pulled a prank on you. He scooted around on his electric chair in the Fairview hallways and downtown Whitby to his favourite restaurants and stores. Family, friends, bingo, puzzles, chicken wings, cold beer and summer heat - this was Brian, the guy with the "infectious smile and giggle." Our thanks to Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Critical Care Unit Stations 1 and 3 for taking care of Brian, you are angels. Fairview Lodge was Brian's home for the past 12 years, but the love and care you showed him was immeasurable. Thank you. Resting at Armstrong Funeral Home 124 King Street East for visitation on Tuesday May 10th from 4pm - 6pm. Internment at Thornton Cemetery at a later date. Donations are gratefully accepted to Durham United Way. To place online condolences please visit www.armstrongfh.ca LARSEN, Kaj Edmund (August 2, 1941 - May 2, 2022) ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Peacefully with family by his side at Lakeridge Health Oshawa. Beloved husband of Dora Jean (nee Woodward) for 46 years. Loving father of Heidi (Mike Davies), Heintje "Chris", Ken (Ivy), D'Jesse, and Kim (Wendy). Cherished grandfather of Kyle, Eric, Crystal, and Jasmine. Kaj will also be missed by his beloved Yorkie-cross rescue dog Charlie Brown, as well as all his friends in the community and his family in both Denmark and Canada. As per Kaj's wishes, cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Ukrainian charitable relief. Online condolences may be left at www.armstrongfh.ca LANSDOWNE, Tony ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on Sunday, May 8, 2022 at 83 years of age. Beloved husband of Wanda for 51 years. Loving father of Eric and his partner Robynn of Oshawa and Amanda Sharpe and her husband Darren of Hamilton, New Zealand. Cherished grandfather of Logan, Noah, Hannah and Cameron. Tony is survived by his brothers Peter, Brian and his wife Mimi, Dudley and his wife Cathy and Mike. Predeceased by his sister Julieanne Garito. He will be sadly missed by his nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations to Parkinson Canada would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at oshawafuneralhome.com BENSCHOP, DIRKJE PEITERNELLA May 13, 1938 - May 6, 2022 ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Peacefully, into the loving arms of Jesus, Dirkje (Dickie/ Vicki) Pieternella Benschop in her 84th year, was welcomed to her eternal Home after a brief time at Peterborough Regional Health Centre. Loving aunt to Wilma, Faith and Carl, Tom and Tracy, Donna and Art and Mark and Maree, and great-aunt to fifteen great nieces and nephews who brought much energy and excitement to family gatherings. Dear sister- in-law to Shirley Benschop, and loved cousin and friend to many. She will be deeply missed by her beloved friends Patricia DeMan and Lilly-Ann Vince. Predeceased by her parents, Zwerus and Wilhelmina Benschop (Van Dam), her older brother John, and her twin brother Leonard. Born in Zwammerdam, The Netherlands, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and siblings in 1948 where they settled on a farm north of Bowmanville. In 1966 she graduated from Blodgett Memorial Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan as a Registered Nurse. She began her nursing career in Bowmanville Memorial Hospital and later worked at Fairhaven Nursing Home in Peterborough, until her retirement. She had a heart to help those in need, her gentle spirit bringing peace to those around her. A true believer in the power of prayer, she continually lifted up her family and friends in prayer. A Funeral Service will be held at NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division St. N. Bowmanville on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 11 a.m., visitation will take place from 10 - 11 a.m. Interment Bethesda Cemetery. To view the service virtually, a link will be provided on the website. Memorial Donations may be made to Diabetes Canada. Online condolences may be left at: www.northcuttelliott.com BATHERSON, Jean ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Those we love can never be more than a thought away, for as long as there is memory, they will live in our hearts. Jean Batherson, a wife, a mother, a Baba, whose caring heart, patience, humour, and devotion to family was at the centre of her heart and soul. The door was always open, it never mattered what time or who happened by. We will remember her for teaching us how to make perogies, laughing with her grand- children, courage and perseverance. Her heart was the centre of the family. Jean passed on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at the age of 83, loving wife to Larry and mother to Jody, Lori, Jill and Lara. She is Baba to ten grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She had tremendous strength and overcame many medical and physical challenges. The hardest part is she will be missed by all. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 14, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Whitby Legion Branch 112 (117 Byron Street South, Whitby). Donations in memory of Jean may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation. For online condolences please visit, www.wctownfuneralchapel.com. OBITUARIES | REMEMBERING THE LIVES OF THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY Gone is the face we loved so dear, silent is the voice we loved to hear; too far away for sight or speech, but not too far for thought to reach, sweet to remember you who once was here, and who, though absent, is just as dear. Time may heal the broken-hearted, time may make the wound less sore; but time will never stop the longing for the loved one gone before. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glint on snow, I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn's rain. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.