June 13, 1931 – August 16, 2025
at the age of 94 years:     

An open house honouring Wim’s life will be held at Clayburn Hall in Abbotsford (4315 Wright St.) on October 4, 1pm-4pm, where family and friends will gather to celebrate his life and legacy.

It is with deep love and sadness that we announce the passing of Willem (Wim) Hoogenraad, our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Willem passed away peacefully August 16, 2025 at Mt. Ida Mews in Salmon Arm. He is survived by 4 children; Ingrid Bastiaansen (Bert), Eric Hoogenraad (Lisa), Marcel Hoogenraad (Linda) and Jeanette Grant (Dean), 13 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. Wim was predeceased by his loving wife Johanna with whom he shared married life for 63 years. 

Wim was born in the Netherlands on June 13, 1931 and immigrated to Canada with his wife Johanna and two children (Ingrid and Eric) in 1966. They returned to the Netherlands in 1967 and after having two more kids (Marcel and Jeannette) returned to Canada in 1974, along with Ingrid’s fiancé Bert.

Wim has been a craftsman all his life, working in heavy construction, millwork and finishing carpentry on many projects both in Europe and in Canada. He retired in 1994 with the Abbotsford School District where he worked on improving school buildings with new furniture and cabinetry. Even after retirement, he was always busy working on many different wood crafts, as well as stamp collecting, drawing and could be found entertaining people with guitar and song. He and Johanna also enjoyed many days of travel throughout Europe and many parts of North America. Wim built a life defined by hard work, craftsmanship, and generosity of spirit. A true craftsman, he could see beauty and possibility in raw material, shaping wood into works of art. Those who were fortunate enough to know him, will remember his kindness, zest for life, his ability to face challenges head on, his perseverance, work ethic and care for detail. He leaves behind a legacy not only of beautiful craftsmanship, but of family, friendship, and love.

An open house honouring Wim’s life will be held at Clayburn Hall in Abbotsford (4315 Wright St.) on October 4, 1pm-4pm, where family and friends will gather to celebrate his life and legacy.