Obituary of Chester van der Kooi

Reinder Chester van der Kooi  - of Upper Nine Mile River, passed away peacefully in the Colchester East Hants Health Center January 28, 2023.

 Born April 5, 1943, in Steins, Netherlands, he came to Canada with his family as a young boy. After growing up and working on the family dairy farm in Upper Nine Mile River, he attended the Agricultural College in Truro. Upon graduation, he returned to the farm, eventually taking over full ownership. He married the love of his life, Catherine Ruth (Smith) in December 1971. Together they raised their three boys Jason, Peter, and Timothy. Although he retired from Dairy farming in 2005, he continued to work his land and could often be found driving the tractor in the fields, tinkering in his shed, fixing something that may or may not have needed fixing or cutting up a fallen tree in the back woods. He had a deep faith and often gave sermons at the East Gore United Church. He was proud of his community and showed it in ways such as being a member of the Upper Nine Mile River volunteer fire department. Chester enjoyed bowling, watching old western movies, working on puzzles, and talking with people on his Ham radio. He loved all things technology related and his family laughs trying to figure which of the multiple remotes are needed just to turn on the TV. Chester was very proud of his three sons and was happiest being a grandfather to Rachel, Abigail, Lila, and Clara.

Chester will be forever missed by his wife Catherine, sons Jason (Amy), Peter (Kerry) and Timothy (Alison) and his granddaughters. He will be missed by his mother Kunje, brother Brant (Eileen), sisters Hiltje Colburn, Ann Guildford and Mary McCulloch (Lewis). He will be lovingly remembered by his many in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his father, Reinder; brother in law, Ralph Colburn.

His family would like to thank all the medical staff who have taken care of Chester with a special thanks to the team on the Palliative Care unit at the Colchester East Hants Health Center.

Funeral services will be held 2pm on Wednesday February 1, 2023, at Ettinger Funeral Home, Shubenacadie, Rev. Kim Curlett officiating. A livestream of the service will be available at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=301c96ac-5ed8-452c-9d43-d56c0f67783f . Reception to follow in the funeral home hospitality area. 

 A committal service will be held in Sand Hill Cemetery, Upper Nine Mile River at a later date..

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Sand Hill Cemetery, Upper Nine Mile River or the Colchester East Hants Health Center Foundation.

Tributes, words of comfort and memories of Chester may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com