Marinus Vanderspek was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on Janury 2, 1929. He was the fifth of ten siblings born to Cornelis and Cornelia Vanderspek.

Rene came to Canada in 1951. For five years he worked on ships that transported goods throughout the Great Lakes. In 1956 he began work at St. Lawrence Cement, ultimately becoming their Maintenance Manager. In his later years at St. Lawrence Cement, and for many years after retiring, he applied his skills around the world as a consultant, sharing his expertise in electrical and mechanical maintenance.

Marinus and Rommy met and were married in the Clarkson Christian Reformed Church. There they shared many wonderful years of service and community while raising their four sons: Corneil, Greg, Henry and Joel. Christian service was a hallmark of Rene’s life. He was a church elder, regularly visited the neighbourhood to serve area residents in need, a donor to many causes, and was dedicated to faithful service. Rommy and Rene’s relationship developed while serving in youth ministry to local youth. That shared commitment to ministry continued throughout their lives, in recent years as members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Islington. From May 2005 to December 2017 they touched many lives as weekly volunteers on the prayer lines of Crossroads Ministry. They were in their 55th year of marriage.

Rene was a delighted “Opa” to his grandchildren: Juliana, Isaac, Nathan, Josiah and Evelina. As an example of the many ways he encouraged their creativity, he loved to create small games for them using unusual items that he and Rommy would find.

Rene was a swimmer, a sailor, a photographer, loved music, had a great sense of humour, and was always repairing things that others might have given up on. He shared his heart and words of wisdom in the day-to-day of life with his children, but taught as much through his quiet and humble demeanour, and in how he continually gave of himself.

Rene passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 30th at 9:10 AM, 89 years of age, at Toronto Grace Health Centre. He will be dearly missed but his legacy of love and service will live on.

Donations in memory of are welcome at Toronto Grace Health Centre (www.torontograce.org) or Light for All Nations (www.lfan.org).