Adriaan “Andy” Broere passed away peacefully on July 31, 2007 at the Vulcan Community Health Centre at the age of 84 years.
Andy was born July 10, 1923 at Capelle a/d Ijssel, Holland to Huibert and Klaasje Broere. He received all his education in Holland and became a pressure welder. Andy worked at the ship yards in Holland and when Holland was occupied by the Nazis during WWII, he was forced to live and work in one of their work camps until he escaped in 1945. Andy returned to Holland and married Neeltje Verkiak on June 6, 1946. Their three oldest children were born in Holland and the family immigrated to Canada in 1952. Andy worked as a farm laborer at various places in Alberta before moving to Vulcan in 1956. He worked for Stewart Douglass, the Vulcan Flour Mill, Scales Farm, Gareau Welding, the Town of Vulcan, UFA and started a family construction business which he operated for over twenty years. Andy was also in partnership with S & S Concrete for a short period of time. The Broere family operated the Vulcan arena for many years and Andy loved helping the kindergarten children tie their skates and learn how to skate. He had a real love for the figure skaters and always made sure that they had good ice to skate on. At Christmas, Andy would put on his speed skates and show the family how skating was really done.
In 1973 Andy’s dream was realized when he was able to purchase the farm. He enjoyed gardening and raising milk cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, goats and rabbits. Andy loved his community and was a volunteer ambulance driver for the Vulcan Ambulance Service and a volunteer on the Vulcan Fire Department for many years. He also was a scout leader. Andy was a staunch NDP supporter and was very interested in Town politics. He had no problem standing up for his beliefs and you always knew where you stood with Andy.
Andy loved his family, especially his grandchildren. They all have fond memories of their Opa.
Beloved husband of Neeltje of Vulcan, loving father of daughter Aletta (Ken) Langille of Brooks, two sons Andy (Diane) of Vulcan, Ron (Karen) of Wembley, six grandchildren Kendra Langille, Konrad (Lynda) Langille, Nicole (Ryan) Sellsted, Kent Broere, Michael Broere and William Broere, extended grandchildren Eugene (Rayleen) VanAalst and Jason Katzeley, great granddaughter Jorianna Sellsted, sister Mena Bahn of Dunville, Ontario and numerous nieces and nephews.
Andy was predeceased by his son Huibert in 1981, numerous brothers and sisters and his parents.
A private family gathering was held on August 3, 2007.
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Andy’s memory can be made to the Alberta Lung Association, 302, 609-14 Street NW, Calgary, T2N 2A1.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.