David John was born on Sunday, October 12, 1958 in Guelph to Klaas and Geertje “Grace” (Donker) Veen. He was the youngest of five children; Jim, John, Honey, Elly and Dave. The Veen family had immigrated to Canada, from the Netherlands on February 14, 1952, settling in the Puslinch area, outside of Guelph. Dave was the only family member born in Canada. In 1960, the Veen family bought a dairy farm outside of Durham, whereby Dave began his schooling in Durham. When he was around 10 years of age the family moved to another farm near Elmwood, where Dave continued his education in Desboro, at Sullivan Public School. He finished off his formal education by attending John Diefenbaker Secondary School. Unfortunately, Dave was involved in a serious car accident when he was 16 and the effects of this incident would remain with him for the remainder of his life.
While in school Dave became friends with Bob Weirmeir. At one such visit to the Weirmeir household, Dave took notice of Bob’s younger sister, Dianne, hanging upside down in a tree. The connection was immediate. They began dating a few years later and were married in Strathroy on September 26, 1980.
The young couple had welcomed their daughter, Terri, a year prior in 1979 and soon relocated back to a farm beside the Veen family homestead on the 12th concession of Bentinck, in 1981. In the years that followed, they were joined by sons D.J. (1982) and Kevin (1984).
Although Dave held a variety of jobs throughout the years, including time spent at Interforest, Ideal Supply, Nuhn’s Auto Supply, Maluskie’s and Sprucedale Agromart, just to name a few, his true calling was auto repair and fabricating. He was introduced to this line of work by Dianne’s father Dick, as together they repaired a few snowmobiles and small engines in his younger years.
While on the farm Dave raised pigs in addition to beginning his own business with Dianne, D & D, in the late 1980’s. Dave spent countless hours drafting, fabricating and repairing vehicles, building the business. When not working in this nature, he loved just spending time in the shop, tinkering and working with his large collection of tools. His creativity had no limits, as he built a baseball diamond for his family while on the farm, which included a backstop and fencing. Baseball had always been a favourite pastime for him, eventually playing co-ed with Dianne, and then finally passing this love onto his children in building a venue they could practice and play on.
During his childhood, Dave taught himself to play the guitar. He passed this love of music on to his children when he bought Terri a drum set in her youth. As the kids aged, Terri, DJ and Kevin all spent time accompanying dad on this drum set. In the years that followed he always enjoyed playing when he could with friends and family. When not playing music he enjoyed listening to rock and in more recent years added a little country in as well. Dave was an avid snowmobiler until age and elements caught up with him. Like most of us, it was the summer months that he most enjoyed allowing him the opportunity to get out and go kayaking. When it came to TV, he enjoyed anything on the History channel but preferred war-time programming. He also had a fondness for CNN, “Friends” and the “Rocky” and “Rambo” series. His go-to meal? A double cheese, pepperoni, bacon, and hot pepper pizza with a coke, to wash it down of course!
The family moved off the farm in 1995, to a home just outside of Elmwood. In 2000, they relocated to their current home where Dave continued to work away in the shop as long as his health would allow it. Although quiet and liking to keep to himself, Dave was very social, with the occasional story, when around family and close friends. He always displayed a strong work ethic, remained positive and enjoyed offering guidance to his children from his life experiences. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always there to support those around him. When not helping people, Dave loved to help and rescue animals. In addition to a variety of rescued cats and dogs over the years, Dave was also known to feed deer and even cared for raccoons on occasion. There were no limits to his affection for animals.
Unfortunately, the effects of his childhood accident began to catch up with him as he entered his early 50’s. He began to experience the effects of arthritis and required a couple of knee replacements. Although remaining positive, these ailments forced him to slow down and ultimately give up work in 2010. He continued to tinker and loved his time in the shop, but it also afforded him more time to spend with his children and grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. His health continued to fail him further in 2017 and sadly Dave passed away suddenly at home on Tuesday, December 24, 2019 in his 62nd year.
Beloved husband of Dianne (Weirmeir). Loving father of Terri Veen (Mike Kraemer) of Hepworth, D.J. (Dawn) Veen of Durham and Kevin (Kim) Veen of Kitchener. Dave will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Mika, Olivia, Evan, Alexa, Ava, Jacob, Connor and Kinsley. Dear brother of Honey (John) Albright-King and Jim Veen (Ruth Draper-Iler). Dave will live on in the hearts and minds of his mother-in-law Helen Weirmeir, sisters-in-law Sharon Musehl, Shirley Veen, brothers-in-law Bob Weirmeir, Wayne Kaufman and cousin Steve (Terry) Horton. Sadly missed by his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and his loyal four-legged companion Sasha. Dave was predeceased by his sister Elly Kaufman, brother John Veen, parents Klaas and Grace (Donker) Veen, father-in-law Richard Weirmeir, brothers-in-law John Musehl, Willard Albright and sister-in-law Lois Veen.
A casual celebration of Dave’s life will be held at the Markdale Golf & Curling Club (85 Edith Ave., Markdale) on Friday, January 3, 2020 from 3 – 8 p.m.
Memorial donations to the Grey Bruce Animal Shelter or Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
