Blok, Don
Blok, Don
August 4, 1925 - June 24, 2021
We are saddened to report that Don Blok passed away unexpectedly on June 24, 2021 at the Guelph General Hospital in his 95th year.
He is survived by his beloved and loving spouse of 33 years, Janice McClelland, by his son, Frank Blok of Waterloo, his daughter, Vivian Blok, (resides in Scotland) and his first wife, Marsha (resides in Guelph).
Don has left many inspiring memories to his grandsons, Jaril Blok, Rowan Forster and Linden Forster, to Jaril’s wife, Beth Samuel, and Don’s three great grandsons – Aiden, Rylan and Liam.
Don will also be missed by his brother-in-law in Sault Ste Marie, Glenn McClelland and his wife, Patti, and their sons, Jacob & Cody and partners.
Don was pre-deceased by his sisters, Mary and Carla, and brother-in-law, Ruud, in Holland. He enjoyed precious contact with his nieces and nephews, whether in Sweden (Hans), or in Holland (Kathy, Ton, Mirjam, Carla Jr, Sandra and Mick.)
Don built a home for his young family, in St Jacobs, looking down on the river, where he also enjoyed activities as a Boy Scout Cub leader. The family subsequently moved to London, ON, where Don was heavily involved in the electrical design for the new teaching hospital. The project completed, Don and family returned to Waterloo where he became an Instructor at Conestoga College - the College was just getting off the ground. His expertise also reached to part-time teaching of architecture students at the University of Waterloo to provide a better appreciation of the requirements within buildings for mechanical and electrical systems.
After his first marriage ended, Don, who enjoyed sailing, built a 40 ft trimaran sailboat. In 1986, he met Janice (“Jan” as he fondly called her) on a Bruce Trail hike. They were married in 1988, lived in Etobicoke and then moved to Erin Township in 1992, after Don had retired from Conestoga College. They lived most happily on 5 acres surrounded by trees, (many of them planted by Don) and rolling farm landscape. Don always marveled about how a person could plant a tree and subsequently enjoy a forest!
Don excelled in home renovation and also enjoyed playing the violin, drawing and sculpture. Don & Janice were both active volunteers with the Bruce Trail. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Bruce Trail Conservancy would be greatly appreciated. Cremation has occurred. A celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date when gatherings can safely be held.
“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.”
(Chinese proverb)
