Dick (Richard) Frits Ubbo Gaasenbeek
August 26, 1933 - December 28, 2014
Dick passed away peacefully at his home in Markdale, Ontario surrounded by his wife, Joan and daughter Becky. Dick enjoyed celebrating Christmas with close family in the comfort of his own home after a lengthy stay at Trillium Memorial Hospital.
Dick grew up in a strong Christian family with five brothers, a sister, and two half-sisters: Matthew (Dai), Len (Alma), Henk (Donna), Marty Goodier (Doug), Peter (Irene), Frank (Sandra), Sophia Byers (deceased, Milford), and Mieke (deceased).
Dick was born in Bloemendaal, Netherlands, and having survived the Nazi occupation of WWII, he immigrated to Canada at age 17 where he worked at Stelco in Hamilton to support himself while he finished high-school and earned his B.A. from McMaster University. He was admitted into the Law Society of Upper Canada and was called to the degree of Barrister at Law in June 1960. During this time, Dick also served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Winnipeg and retired in 1957 with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
Dick practiced law for 44 years, first with Gord Guyatt and then as a private practitioner, until poor health forced him to retire in 2004, when he moved from his Dundas home of 40 years to his ski chalet near Markdale that he built with Joan as a place where the whole family could be together and have fun. Dick loved skiing and sailing, and his greatest joy was teaching both sports to his children and grandchildren. Dick was an active member of Beaver Valley Ski Club since the mid-60’s and recently served as an Ambassador. He was a member of the Thornbury Yacht Club and was also an active member of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club for over 20 years, enjoying many sailing adventures on his 36’ sloop, the Mateus Rose. His passion for sailing also took him across the Atlantic three times. Always looking for new challenges, Dick learned curling in his 70’s and joined the Markdale Golf and Country Club and was an enthusiastic member of his local Probus club. Besides outdoor activities, Dick spent numerous meticulous hours building and operating his N-gauge model railroad, which he gladly shared with others.
Dick had an incredible zest for life which he shared with all around him. He was fearless in the face of adversity, adventure, a steep ski slope, or a gale force storm on Georgian Bay. He was also fearless when it came to fighting for his clients and he truly loved the law and everything it represents. Dick was a voracious reader, deep thinker, and avid student of history and geopolitics. He loved to debate, and his views were usually the most informed and the best articulated. He was a very proud Canadian and felt privileged to live in the finest country on Earth.
Although not his native tongue, he loved the English language and spoke it eloquently. He was a superb story teller and a prolific writer and poet.
No description of Dick would be complete without mention of his terrific sense of humour. No-one could tell a joke as well as Dick, and he was famous for his limericks, puns, and lusty voice when singing Christmas carols or rugby drinking songs (only the PG rated ones) when washing dishes.
Dick was a larger than life personality. He taught us how to embrace life with gusto and make the most of every day. He was much loved and will be missed dearly by Joan, children Richard (Mary) son of Kit Elliott, Kim Ireland (Jason) daughter of Nancy Eisen, Becky Bouwmeester (Jonathan), and Robert (Jenny). He also leaves behind loving grandchildren Nicole, Andrew, Brandon, Elise, Nena, Kayla, Liam, Faith, and Jenelle.
A celebration of Dick’s life is planned for Saturday, April 25th, 2:00 to 5:00pm, at Beaver Valley Ski Club. All welcome. Donations to Mississauga Trillium Memorial Hospital or the Owen Sound Hospital gladly appreciated. To express condolences or for more information, arrangements are being made by Fawcett’s Funeral Home in Flesherton, www.fawcettfuneralhome.ca.

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