Johannes (John) Theodorus Droog

On Thursday, November 2, 2023 Mr. Johannes Droog of Calgary, Alberta, formerly of Strathmore, Alberta passed away at the age of 84 years.

Johannes (John) Theodorus Droog was born April 5, 1939 in de Beemster, Netherlands. He is survived by his sister Nel, and brothers Wil, Luuk, Tom, Cor and Pim. Also cherishing his memory are numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Sjaan.

John went to agricultural school in Hoorn, Holland. When he was 18, John trained in the Dutch army for two years. After that, he immigrated to Australia in 1959. John worked at a Nunnery, working on their farm. While in Australia, John started working at Franki Pile Construction. This career brought him all over the world. He moved from Australia to Africa, but was not there long. In 1968 John returned to Holland continuing to work construction with heavy machinery. In 1978 John’s brother Tom sponsored him to come to Canada.

John settled in Strathmore, Alberta. As a lifelong bachelor, he loved his farm and took pride in planting trees there and was a very hard worker. In retirement, John lived for enjoying coffee with his friends every morning where they talked about the weather, the price of coffee, current events and the latest gossip. He loved playing crib. John was very active and walked daily. He never cooked a meal a day in his life. John was a world traveler and loved taking cruises. He marched to the beat of his own drum, coming and going like the wind. Make no mistake, John quietly enjoyed his life but was not boastful.

John enjoyed spending time with his only Canadian family at holidays, driving in his red VW Golf bearing a whip cream cake from the Dutch Bakery to share with Tom and his family.

John lived a quiet and unassuming life. He enjoyed his family gatherings in Holland and had friends to visit no matter where he stayed. John spent many weeks with Tom and his niece Christy fundraising and building orphanages in Guatemala and Peru over a number of years. John worked hard no matter the task at hand. He liked to laugh. John was humble, kind, loving, and of course, stubborn too.

The last five years of John’s life were spent living at Sagewood in Strathmore and Bethany Riverview in Calgary. John’s family would like to express gratitude for all of the caregivers involved in his late years of his life, providing exemplary care and warmth. During visits to his “home” John was happy to see Tom and Christy, even when he failed to remember them, but always asked them to come back soon. It was during this time of uncertainty in his life, John allowed himself vulnerability as he held the hand of whomever was willing to walk with him in the last two years. His days, though quiet, echoed with the fullness of contentment, teaching us that a life need not be loud to be profoundly filled with rich experiences. Rest in peace John.

A Celebration of Life will be held for John at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, 2024 from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #10, 230 – 2 Avenue, Strathmore, Alberta. Cremation has taken place at the Foothills Crematorium.