Geurt (Kirk) Van De Kraats of Mississauga was surrounded by his family as he passed away peacefully on May 26th from recently diagnosed ALS.

Born in Oosterbeek, Netherlands in 1946, Geurt was proud of his many years as an electrician and member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 353). He thereafter became a teacher at George Brown College, a role that was extremely meaningful to him. Geurt later became the Chair of Apprenticeship and Skilled Trades at George Brown, where his leadership shone and where he made great contributions to the college community.

Geurt found joy in golfing and playing darts and euchre with his friends and, in his private time, thoroughly researched and documented his family genealogy. Geurt also revelled in the simple joys of maintaining his tulip garden and fish tanks, engaging in impromptu chats with his neighbours, and spending time with his friends and family, who all meant so much to him.

Geurt loved to help others with challenging projects and was a fountain of knowledge, excited to share his wisdom with anyone who sought it out. He felt driven to provide opportunities to those around him and he had a remarkable ability to build deep and lasting relationships seemingly instantly.

Geurt is survived and missed dearly by his wife of 50 years, Suzanne; children, Kyle (Julia), Alison, and Laura (Rafal); grandchildren, Ella, Isabelle, and Rhys, and by his sister, Betty, and brother, John.

Friends may call at the Turner & Porter Peel Chapel at 2180 Hurontario Street in Mississauga on Wednesday, June 5th from 4pm to 8pm and Thursday June 6th from 10am to 11am, at which time a service will be held with a reception to follow. Please allow for extra travel time due to construction on Hurontario Street.

For those who wish, donations can be made to Lupus Canada or the ALS Society of Canada.