John Kingswood

John  Kingswood 1929 - 2021

John Kingswood (Johannes Koningswoud) was born on April 9, 1929 near Rotterdam in the Netherlands. John spent his early years on the family farm along with his nine siblings. When the Netherlands was Nazi-occupied during World War II, John had several encounters with Nazi soldiers, and experienced the privations of war. Through these early trials, John’s strength of character and his trust in Jesus Christ was tested and solidified, remaining with him throughout the rest of his life.

At the age of 18, John, along with several of his siblings made the decision to emigrate to Canada to start a new life. They arrived in southern Ontario speaking no English but determined to find work. John got his first job working on a dairy farm and began learning English and becoming settled in his new surroundings. Several years later he met Alida Van Maanen, another young immigrant from the Netherlands and they married in 1956. John and Alida settled in Cambridge Ontario and welcomed four sons into their family over the next several years, two biologically, and two by adoption.

Knowing the saving love of God in Christ Jesus in their own lives, John and Alida sought to faithfully show that love by opening their home to numerous foster children. John was a skilled gardener and arborist and diligently passed this knowledge on to his sons and foster children, teaching them the value of a strong work ethic and honest work practices. He had a love for God’s creation and blessed many people by helping them create and maintain beautiful gardens.

For many years, John held the position of Director of Parks for the City of Cambridge where he was respected and looked up to for his integrity, diligence, and care for those around him. Although a quiet man in general, John was never afraid to stand up for what was right and to encourage others.

John was a faithful church member for many decades, first at the First Reformed Church in Cambridge and then in his later life at Grace Presbyterian Church in Woodstock, Ontario. John and Alida were active in their congregation and community through their tireless hospitality, generosity, and volunteer work. Everyone who visited their home found a welcoming, Christ-filled atmosphere, and left feeling encouraged and blessed.

Later in life, John encountered several health challenges including a slow loss of hearing and sight. However, these never impeded his desire to serve others, and he continued to use the energy and time God gave him to bless others in whatever ways he could from serving food and doing dishes at the soup kitchen to creating and giving away beautiful Christmas trees made from tomato cages and grape vines.

In John’s long life of 92 years, the Lord used him to bless, encourage, and inspire many people, none more so than his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by his wife Alida, sons Jeff (Woodstock), Matt (Russell), and Phil (Cambridge), as well as his 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. We rejoice that he is now with His faithful Lord, joining his son Sye, who predeceased him earlier this year.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalm 116:15)