Pieter Anthony van Oostrum

Pieter Anthony van Oostrum 82 - of Upper Canard, Kings County, died Thursday, March 9, 2017, in Valley Regional Hospital, Kentville. He was born in Veldhuizen near Utrecht, in the Netherlands. He is survived by his wife, Everarda "Effie" (Smienk); his children, Mary, Janette, Henry (Joan), Margaret (Donnie), Gerry (Shonna) and Ilse (Darren); 16 grandchildren, Joe, Mikey, Sarah, Jacob, Travis, Garett, Pete, Audrey, Jenna, Brett, Shane, Jordyn, Kaese, Anna, Sam and Kate; and one great-grandchild, Everly; as well as siblings, Ann, Ria, Lena, Thea and Jos. He was predeceased by his brothers, Pe and Anthony. He went to agricultural school in the Netherlands and served in the Dutch military. He met his wife, Effie through his friend, Henk Smienk who was Effie’s brother. They were married in 1959 and immigrated to Canada where they were sponsored by the van Dyk family in Caledonia, Queens County.  Finding it too rocky there to grow apples, they moved to the Annapolis Valley in 1961 where he worked on the farm owned by Ernest Eaton. In 1966 he bought that farm. He served on numerous agricultural committees and commissions including the Crop Insurance Commission, the CBC Advisory Committee, Scotian Gold, and served as the President of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association. He received numerous awards and was recognized for his commitment to the apple industry in Nova Scotia. Pieter will be remembered for his love of family and the great outdoors. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 13^th, 2017 in the White Family Funeral Home, Kentville. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14^th, 2017 in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Kentville, Father John MacPherson officiating. A reception will follow in St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. Burial will take place in the Canard Burial Ground, Upper Canard. Family flowers only by request. Donations in memory may be made to the School Breakfast programs at Glooscap Elementary or NKEC or to a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.