Willem van Zweeden, 93, of Scarborough, Ontario passed away at 9:18 p.m. on June 20th, 2024.

Willem was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 13, 1931, to Abraham Willem van Zweeden and Geertruida Roos. He was the youngest of four children with three sisters, Wilhelmina, Geertruida, and Hendrika.

Willem and his family survived the WWII occupation of the Netherlands and always gave special thanks to the Allied forces, specifically the Canadian soldiers who helped bring freedom to the Netherlands.

Willem attended trade school studying to be a blacksmith. In the summer of 1954 Willem accompanied by his sister Geertruida, her husband Fred Hendriks and their two sons Fred and Robert left for Canada. They traveled to Canada on the S.S. Johan van Oldebarnevelt and arrived in Canada on July 8, 1954, settling in Scarborough, Ontario.

In 1975, Willem met Emily MacFayden. Willem and Emily were married in 1976 and went on to have two children, Darlene and William.

Willem started working as a millwright for Alcan Aluminum in Kitimat, BC in the mid 1950’s. After a couple of years, he returned to Toronto. He would eventually go on to be an elevator mechanic for Globe Elevators, before helping to start a new company Monarch Elevator in Toronto. Willem worked as an elevator mechanic for almost 40 years before joining the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 50 in 2002.

Willem retired officially in 2006 at the age of 75. After retirement Willem spent most of his time with family and friends. Unfortunately, in 2009 his wife Emily passed away. In 2013 Willem would become an Opa (grandfather) for the first time and lived with his son William, wife Lilian and grandson Liam.

Willem was predeceased by his wife Emily, his parents Abraham and Geertruida, and his sisters Wilhelmina and Geertruida. He is survived by his sister Hendrika, his daughter Darlene and husband Patt, his son William and wife Lilian and his grandson Liam. He will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

Services will be held at Pine Hills Funeral Centre and Cemetery Saturday July 6th, 2024. Graveside Service at 11 a.m. – Section One. Reception to follow in the Birchmount Suite.