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Aart Looye posted a condolence
Monday, July 17, 2023
I was hoping to be here in person but I suffered a major stroke some years ago and have been paralyzed for the last five years on the left side so travelling, renting a car and other things including even getting dressed is difficult so please pardon my absence.
So what is a big brother during the course of a lifetime? The first thing that comes to mind was WHAT A pain in the neck - in the neck and dad put you back into focus when you strayed from the accepted norm in our family dictated daily by the regimental sergeant major my dad still thought that he was in and we were his soldiers.
The second most important thing was that he was clearly an example for us to follow. My brothers and sister certainly knew that it was the right course to follow because he always managed to keep out of my father’s punishment brigade.
Arriving in Canada from Holland first course of business was to learn to speak English and to integrate into Canadian society. My father had a firm grip on what he wanted to do in Canada which was to be Canadians with the Dutch background, and another important aspect of my father’s concept of Canada was that we were to get as much education as we could as quickly as we could so it so it was always a contest to see if you pronounce the words correctly and to read the Toronto Star from cover to cover and even have discussions and articles as long as they were not contrary to my father’s views or beliefs. Being a poor immigrant family money played an important part in our daily lives it was not long before we found out that there is money to be made delivering papers. The Toronto Star was very pleased to recruit three brothers in the West of PORT CREDIT to deliver over 100 papers per night to various locations near our homes. Delivering papers was more than just dropping them off. You had to keep track of your customers and then the collections every Saturday morning and if you’re lucky you can earn yourself $.50 in tips which was a king’s ransom in those days - to get a bottle of Coke in a machine for nickel.
The daily grind of delivering papers, however, put a damper in playing sports and other after school activities but that we always found time to run play with kids in our block who were also in the same situation
Dick and I both enjoyed the Boy Scouts of Canada movement. The major problem being with that group was that every time Dick got a badge, I would have to go get one too - beginning a never-ending contest. We both would become Queen scouts and later graduated to the Rovers and have a successful career with the Crusader rover crew behind the First United Church in Port Credit. We had many marvellous camping trips, jamboree’s and the campfires.
The problem having an older brother who is bigger than you was that I was always picked last for most team activities. That was soon to change however in grades seven and eight when I discovered that if I tried hard I can actually beat my brother in running in swimming and various other activities and lo and behold I was no longer picked last and our status solidified as the LOOYE BOYS from the West End of corporate as a dominant force to be reckoned with under the leadership of my brother Dick was not a good fighter or aggressive but could talk a mile an hour which kept us out of trouble on numerous occasions - a good start on his diplomatic career
The next major events in our family all occurred at the Lions Club pool in Port Credit were the four of us - that’s Dick, John, Aart and Ron - all hung out for hours on end. From the time the pool opened to when it closed at 8:00pm, with a short timeout to deliver papers, eat supper and then ride your bicycle back to the pool. The key challenge the game was to get as many Red Cross swimming badges as you could before anybody else in the family. The problem with the Red Cross program was that it was partially based on age. While I could pass all the tests, I could not do the exam because I was old enough. So my big brother always had a badge before me. The challenge always was to get the fastest badges in the Red Cross series. And my effort was always to repeat my brother which I did on many occasion.
The next major episodes which was track and field - again all efforts were made to be the best and had it not been for a tragic football accident, he would’ve been the Ontario champion in the 800 m. I personally I was more in favor of doing a 50 m swim in the pool which did not require the same training as an 800! Dick continued running throughout his life doing various marathons in various countries and even though I did some myself, never came close to his times.
The hard drive for educational excellence led Dick to Victoria College in U of T. Brother John went to the RCMP and a few years later I joined the Royal Canadian Navy. Richards’s talent for languages stood him in good stead with External Affairs Department of Canada and having passed the exams he was recruited to be a foreign officer.
Not having the academic inclination to study and not suitable to take orders from the Canadian Navy people, I decided upon my release from the Navy to go back to university and study political science and economics but never catching up to the standard and leadership that my brother had set down much earlier. Another notch in his belt
My brother had a successful career and even overcame his ‘dance with the devil rum’ and raised a great daughter and 2 wonderful grandchildren.
In closing our family and journeys in Canada and abroad were typical of the post war era and mine was made easier by having a very good example to follow - you my older brother. Rest in peace. See you at the next competition!
Aart
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Bob Merifield and Jackie LaRouche-Merifield posted a condolence
Monday, July 17, 2023
Bob and I send our deepest sympathy to Laurie at the loss of her husband, Richard. Laurie was a devoted and loving wife and partner to him and stood lovingly by his side through all the ups and downs as he traveled his life path. He will be missed by his family and many friends.
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Mary Talbot posted a condolence
Friday, July 14, 2023
Laurie, I was very sorry to learn of Richard’s death.
He will be missed by many, particularly those who knew him through the Northumberland Photography Club.
I hope you find comfort in memories of happy times you spent together.
Thinking of you.
Mary Talbot
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Brian Hart posted a condolence
Thursday, July 13, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Richard's passing. A man of many talents and above all, a true gentleman with a keen intellect and a great sense of humour. Knowing him through the photography club it was his interest in photography that we were most familiar with but he was much more diverse such as his expert knowledge of hand knotted carpets.
A rich and rewarding life with the ability to overcome the bumps along the road.
An inspiration for us all.
Brian Hart
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Leonora de Jong posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Richard (Dick) Looye (Looije) was my cousin. My mother, Mientje Looije (Brak) was his father’s youngest sister. After my family moved to Virginia, USA from The Netherlands in 1979 we visited him and his family in Ottawa in the early 1980’s. My husband, on a business trip, even met Dick In Moscow when he was stationed there.
Our sincere condolences on your loss. Kind regards, Leonora de Jong-Brak and family.
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Monica Miller posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Our heartfelt prayers for Laurie and all of Richard's family. Richard was our photographer for 2 years during the Trinity Group's spring fashion show at St. John's. He did a great job and everyone looked beautiful!
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Bryan Marjoram posted a condolence
Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Dear Laurie and the Looye Family,
After reading his beautiful obituary I now realize all the wonderful accomplishments Richard achieved. He experienced a life well lived. His NPC friends will miss him. Cherish all the memories you shared with Richard. Sincere condolences to all.
Richard C. D. "Dick" Looye
1941 - 2023
~ REST IN PEACE ~
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Bob Robertson posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
I knew him as "Richard", we met when he joined our photography club back when we met at the Ruth Clarke Centre in Port Hope.
He accepted the office of Outings Director the year that I was Vice-President - long ago now!
I don't think he met anyone he didn't like. He will be missed.
Bob Robertson, NPC President.
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Rhonda McIntyre uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
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I'm going to miss you, Richard. I'll miss sharing great meals together, your infinite kindness and wisdom, and the anticipation of the eloquent thank-you note following shared dinners! Biggest hugs, Rhonda
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Elaine Amenta posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
We will miss you at our table. Your cheeky sense of humour did not go un noticed! Fly high,R! A true gentleman and a good friend. Xx
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Jackie & John Brimblecombe posted a condolence
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
I have known Richard for 18 years, first meeting him at St. Johns church when we moved to Port Hope. I've seen him at his worst and at his best...his best being when he married Laurie Robertson. Richard suffered from the terrible disease of alcoholism. But I never stopped loving him as a friend, during the ups and the downs. A real friend never stops loving just because your friend suffers from awful disease. Instead you learn all if the wonderful qualities of your friend, and Richard had plenty of them. I found him to be quite brilliant, often with a wonderful inviting personality. I am so grateful that his best friend, Laurie, stood by him, loving him to the end. We'll see you again one day, Richard. Love Jackie & John
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Don andDarlene Robertson posted a symbolic gesture
Monday, July 10, 2023
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Don and I were very sorry to hear about Richard. I wish I had known him better but I loved his spirit and the way he handled the challenges in his life.
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Laurie Robertson uploaded photo(s)
Monday, July 10, 2023
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Some photos of my dear Richard for friends far away. I have many good memories of our years together.
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The family of Richard C. D. Looye uploaded a photo
Monday, July 10, 2023
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Phone: 905-885-5611 | Fax: 905- 885-2206
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