It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Father Gilliaan Piet (Peter) Koens.

Dad was born April 14, 1929, in Den Helder in the Netherlands. His childhood was spent in Indonesia until the Japanese invasion in 1942, which he and his family escaped by flying to Australia. During the war years, Peter was billeted in Bakersfield, California, where he attended high school and received a football scholarship to UCLA. At the end of the war, Peter and his family returned to Holland, where he finished his education in engineering. During this time, he met the lady who would become his wife, Sylvia.

Peter immigrated to Toronto, Canada, in 1952, where he worked installing TV antennas until he had enough money to bring Sylvia to Canada to start their lives together as husband and wife. They had two children together, Joyce Koens and Paul Koens(loving wife Maureen Flagler). They would later become amazing grandparents to, and deeply loved by Shawn Hood (Ayesha), Alexandra Hood (Rob), Alexander Koens, and Matthew Koens (Melanie). Peter would eventually become a loving great grandfather to Jibreel, Evelyn, and Calvin.

Peter's work in agricultural engineering design would take him all over the world, including Asia, South America, and Africa. Peter and Sylvia also loved to travel and cruised the world extensively together.

Peter's passions included gardening, bridge, golf, and curling, and would include winning the Toronto Seniors Masters Bonspiel. A lifelong basketball fan, he would become a Raptors Season ticket holder, never missing a game for 12 years. The Raptors honored him on his 90th birthday, making him the Fan of the Game, something that he never forgot.

To those who knew Peter, he was a true gentleman and had a joy for living, always finding the silver lining in everything and sharing that positive attitude with those around him. His beautiful smile lit up a room, and his laugh would fill it. Both will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

A huge thank you to all the Staff and residents at Arrowsmith Lodge who became Peter's final family. He loved living there and was always grateful for the care that was provided and the joy of life that was shared.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arrowsmith Lodge:

https://arrowsmithlodge.ca/donate/