Melchior van der Laan

Peacefully passed away with his family by his side at St. Joseph’s Hospice, London, on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, Melchior van der Laan at the age of 88. Beloved husband of Ruthanne. Loving father of John (Jodi), Marc (Laurie) and Matthew. Dear grandfather of Jaime (Richard), Sarah (Matt), Jessi, Nicholas, Jacob, Noah, Hailey, Joshua, Luke and Christopher. Predeceased by his daughter Nicole (2006).

A 19 year old Mels arrived in Canada at Pier 21 on 9 December 1955 to start an exciting adventure in a new world. After time on the West Coast as a logger he moved east where he met Ruthanne and they started a 60 year adventure together building family and making many friends along the way. A 30 year Army career as a Royal Canadian Engineer, included time as a peacekeeper in Cyprus, stays in Germany, Alert, London and Armstrong among many others. Having seen and experienced all his new home had to offer he retired to a small sheep farm in southern Ontario to live out his Canadian dream with his true love.

 Mels' story of coming to Canada can be read online at :https://pier21.ca/walls/Honour/Mels-Fr-van-der-Laan 

Visitors will be received on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. in the O’Neil Funeral Home, 350 William St., London. Visitors will also be received on Friday, October 11, in All Saints Parish,124 Front St E., Strathroy, Ontario, from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in All Saints on Friday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m. Interment in St. Peter’s Cemetery, London, on Friday, October 11 at 2:30 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospice of London, 485 Windermere Road, London, Ontario N5X 2T1 (www.sjhospicelondon.com)              Online condolences & Guest Book at www.oneilfuneralhome.ca