We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of former Local Union 115 member Derk Harmen Veldman. Derk passed away in Perth on Tuesday April 1st, 2025 in his 81st year.
Derk emigrated to Canada in 1952 with his father and mother, sister Janni and brother Gerritt. His two younger siblings were born in Canada. He did his electrical apprenticeship with I.B,E,W, (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) in Kingston . He then worked for TransCanada Pipelines as a gas technician for 13 years until leaving to go home to Joyceville to take over the Veldman family dairy farm. Derk, Wenda and the children worked together on the dairy farm for 10 years. He decided to go back to pipeline work with Trans Canada and finished his working career between pipeline inspection and electrical construction with I.B.E.W. until his retirement at the age of 72.
Friends may pay their respects at the Blair & Son Funeral Home, 15 Gore St W., Perth on Saturday April 5th, 2025 from 1:00 P.M. until service in the chapel at 2:00 P.M. A Celebration of Derk’s life will follow in the Blair & Son Family Centre. In remembrance, memorial donations to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (C.H.E.O) or the Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital Foundation (Perth site) would be appreciated.
Please see the full Death Announcement and Funeral Arrangements here
In memory of our IBEW 115 brothers and sisters who have passed away.