Our uncle, Jan Van Egmond, passed away Monday, April 16, 2007 at the ageof 90. He had endured many hardships during the past few years including two hip replacements and a bout of c. dificile, but it was a stroke a week earlier which proved to be the one thing he could not overcome.
He came to Canada from Holland with his wife Catherine in 1949, like many immigrants of the post World War II years due to the slim resources in Holland and was sponsored by Charles Gratton of Gratton Greenhouses in Saint-Laurent who would later also sponsor his brother Dick, our father. In the mid 60s, along with his two sons, Danny and John, he started Hudson Greenhouses where it still stands to this day. They became growers and producers of flowering plants which can be found in many of the floral shops of the Montreal and Ottawa areas. My earliest memories of him were the week-long vacations during the summer when I stayed with my aunt and uncle at their house in St. Lazare. I was reminded recently of these visits when I visited him the Saturday prior to his passing. I walked from their house to the greenhouses which are located in a lot in back of the house. As I walked, the smell of the moist sand and soil brought back the memories of my childhood stays.
Jan leaves behind many family and friends and will be missed dearly. Viewing will take place at Aubry & Fils Funeral Home on 434 Main Road in Hudson on Friday April 20, 2007 from 7 to 9 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Wyman United Church 513 Main Road on Saturday April 21, 2007 at 11 a.m.
Since 1956, Edgewood has provided fresh flowers and plants to delighted clients across Montreal. The Edgewood blog is a glimpse into our day-to-day: our activities, dreams, and schemes.
