May 2, 1936 - May 17, 2020
On Sunday, May 17, 2020 the Lord called home his faithful servant, George Atsma. He will be greatly missed by his beloved wife of 58 years (Clasiena), his well loved children (Alida & Harold; John & Sheri; Brenda & Carl; Stephen & Patti) and his treasured 13 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
He was born May 2, 1936 in Surhuizum, Friesland, Netherlands and immigrated to Canada in 1956. After time spent in BC and Alberta, he moved to Ottawa in 1958 where he met Clasiena van der Laan. They were married October 28, 1961 and lived in Ottawa where his 4 children were born. Here he established the thriving Atsma Construction Ltd., and built homes including embassy residences. He was an active member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church, and also built Ottawa Christian School.
In 1979 the family moved to Duncan, on Vancouver Island, where George continued to serve his Lord by serving as an elder in the Duncan CRC, overseeing numerous building projects including moving the DCS elementary school, building the DCS high school, Christian senior homes (Evening's Ease) and the present Duncan Christian Reformed Church building; all while raising children, tending his hobby farm, hog farm and blueberry farm.
While George had a number of close calls, God graciously spared his life each time.
In August 2018, George and Clasiena moved to Abbotsford to be closer to a number of their children and grandchildren.
George had a deep, abiding faith in God, and demonstrated his love and servant heart working and living out his faith. His unwavering commitment, love for and loyalty to his family was evident to all who knew him. Wherever he was, and whatever he did, he shared his love of Christ to others through his generosity with his finances, time, integrity and his commitment to Christian education.
In George's honour, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Duncan Christian School building fund would be appreciated.
There will be a live stream celebration of life Friday, May 22 at 11:30 a.m. Family & Friends please e-mail: atsmafamily2020@gmail.com for the link.