Born on January 25, 1928 in Herwynen, the Netherlands. Arie was one of eight children. He spent his childhood growing up on the family farm. He lived through the depression and world war 2 when he lost two brothers. Arie got married on November 4, 1953 to Magda (predeceased on October 31, 2016). They started a family in a small village called Bruchem and about 1961 moved to a new farm outside Zaltbommel, a small city not far away. This farm was converted to a fruit farm growing mainly strawberries and apples. With their five children they emigrated to Canada in 1967 where they settled on a dairy farm outside Bailieboro, Ontario on Rice Lake.
When he retired from the dairy farming, Arie bought a delivery business in the late 1970’s. They called it A & M delivery service. In 1985, Arie and Magda moved to Peterborough with the delivery business where they eventually retired. They enjoyed travelling, their church community and grandchildren. They settled in Brampton in 2003 where they joined the HCH community. Arie leaves behind a large and loving family who will miss him dearly: Carl – wife Ann, children; Angela (Geno), Jason (Christine) and their son Holland, Mandy and her children Kora and Conor, and Jeff (Jess) and their daughter Jemma Martin – wife Ruth, children; Chris (Jenessa) and their children Arie and Piper, Mike and his children Maggie and Wally, and Danny (Geena)Marian – husband Doug, children; Emily (Brendan) and their children Avery and Logan, John (Jess) and their children JD and Jax, and Ben (Cody) and their children Thomas and Ellie Dia – children; Rebecca and Tim Anja – husband Gavin, children; Mitchell (Danielle), Bridget and Grace