Heel droevig is het om jullie mede te delen dat Ton vandaag, 7 September 2012 om 7,30 uur, is overleden. Bijna 60 jaar waren wij samen in Argentinie, waar wij een fijne familia hebben opgebouwd.

Allemaal zijn wij verdrietig met dit verlies. Wij hebben in stilte afscheid genomen van hem, want hij was al 10 dagen in coma. Ton is in vrede gestorven.

Wij hebben vele goede herinneringen aan hem. Hij zal altijd in onze gedachten zijn als een fijne man, vader en opa. 

Wij zullen hem missen. 

The flower arrangements seen in the pictures are the ones sent by the family in Holland.

Words written by Patricio (14 years old)

Opa was a very good grandpa, always giving advice and talking about politics. He used to get angry every time he talked about that, but he was right. He was very strict, especially with his garden, but I will never forget when we played football with his shoes on. He used to play cards with Oma a lot. He took good care of her and he also cared for us. He was very cautious with everything. I loved him a lot, and I feel very proud of him. I really miss him, and always will.

Words by Ezequiel (16 years old)

Today an iron man was gone, an excellent grandfather and an admirable role model. His hardwork had its fruits: here we are, honoring him. He is gone now, but all my remembers, memories and his teachings will never go away and he will be always in our hearts. I´m proud of having a person like him as a grandfather. I will never forget his strange sounds, his obsession of taking photos at any risk, and of course his fights and teaching on how to protect ourselves. Thank you for all you made for us and sorry for not even giving back half of that, Opa! I will miss you so much!

Words by Julieta (25 years old)

When I think about Opa, I think and feel many things. I think and have memories that I will always keep in my heart.

But what I would really like to remember today is his integrity. I think that I admire the strength with which he stood by his ideals, his moral and ethic concepts.  I think in not settling up. I think in the strength with which he always fought for what he believed in, the same that brought him to this country seeking for a better future for his family, and which made it possible for us to be gathered here today.

Opa is the person who reminds me that with courage and effort everything can be done.

Words by his daughter Kitty

I thought of writing some words of goodbye. But how am I going to say goodbye, if you are here yet, so present. It seems that any time I`m going to see you come walking with your characteristic walk and see your typical figure that could be identified within a crowd. This way of walking has led you to transit new paths, try new horizons and challenges. Perhaps induced for your life situation but also because of your adventurous spirit. An uncle who offered you work in a far away country, with great potential! Your curiosity helped you decide to come, see and try for yourself! You travelled to Argentina. A year later came mom, you got married. Then Henriette came, me and finally Tonny. Many stories, many memories...

I remember then how I loved to sit on your lap, I loved to give you kisses, I loved when you took me on the bike and I loved the doll you brought me from a trip to Holland, which I still keep. Your presence is very strong in me and in us all. You were a good father, a good man. But when I close my eyes and remember you, the most powerful thoughts are about your essence: restless, curious, adventurous, hard-working, enterprising, faithful, straight, but mostly free. You were a free man. You needed freedom.

The values you taught us will be the most enduring treasure we earned from you. I shall not say goodbye, only in a physical way, because we all have something of you within us... some of the things you have taught us. Today I am very sad. But life gave me the opportunity in this last time to tell you how much I loved you. That gave me a lot of peace. That was my farewell...

Words by Romina (30 years old)

    We begin, we end.

    We go up, we go down.

    We get empty, we are filled.

    We are happy, we get angry.

    We open, we close.

    We sleep, we wake up.

    We contract, we expand.

    We are born, we die...

This is the essence of life: movement. That is how I remember Opa: he always kept going, tyding up papers, looking for a "good" mechanic, climbing to the roof - washer in hand!, fixing something, sanding, painting, running to turn off the pump overflowing and shouting "de pomp!"... Always active, always moving, always vital.

For me Opa has been and will remain an example of work, of effort, of that living force that moves, of tenacity and perseverance. I choose to keep the glass half full. Although his departure hurts me, I choose the gain of this side. Because he has left a lot along his way, with a fantastic travelling companion, created a beautiful family and I am honored to belong; he has lived a full life, full of experiences and learning, and he has managed to capitalize positively even the toughest situations.

He is a beautiful example of life and although he is physically not among us any more, he will be present in those little things that each one of us has within our hearts.

Thanks Opa!

Poster made by Andrea (34 years old)

"What we will always remember from Opa with a smile in our hearts..."

"A unique grandpa, founder of a beautiful family!"

These are some memories from my childhood, adolescence, family meetings and my wedding.

"Adventurous, funny and witty!"

Here we can see him taking pictures, with Tonny imitating his typical gesture, in our visit to Holy Land imitating the posture of the statue, standing on a chair to take pictures at my wedding, and dancing like a teenager!

 

 

 

"The doors of his home, always open."

"A great companion and exemplary husband."

"A ladies' man!"

 

 

 

"A very loving great-grandpa!"

 

 







The 3 generations of van Baren guys!

Final words by Riet

Thanks to everyone who came to accompany Opa in his last journey. I have heard many of you speak in the same way about him and about how much we will miss him. Ton was a strong man. He worked hard his whole life and was a good example. He loved his son and daughters, his grandchildren and greatgrandson with all his heart. He is the founder of the Argentinian van Baren branch. We will remember him with love, and we`ll try to be worthy descendants.