Benjamin (Ben) Postuma passed away on the afternoon of April 13, 2026, after a brief illness. He left this earthly life as he lived it – surrounded by and held in the hearts of the family he loved.
Ben was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario on February 12, 1955, to Bindert and Tjitske Postuma. As the youngest son of a Dutch immigrant family of seven, he was always striving to keep up with his older brothers and sisters and brought mischief and energy to their post-war lives. He grew up on White Park Road, where he would remain for his life. He married Patricia O’Rourke, who had recently immigrated from Ireland and worked at Safeway with Bindert. They married on November 21, 1981, and they settled in a house built where his childhood home had once stood.
Ben always lived life to the fullest. He was an ambitious and creative lifelong learner. As an entrepreneur, he was always happiest with multiple projects on the go and a schedule beyond the typical 9-5. When his family was young, he supported them by running an autobody business out of his garage. As his children became adults, he thrived on assisting them in many business ventures.
Ben had a talent for seeing possibility where none existed. He could look at an abandoned house, an empty church, or an old restaurant and see what else it could be – a starter home for a family, rental apartments, or a new hardware store. With his wife Patricia and a vision of what was possible, he started the Twice As Nice Thrift Store and initiated fundraiser pancake breakfasts at the Thunder Bay Christian School.
Family was the focus of Ben’s world. As a young man he helped to design and build a home on White Park Road that would accommodate his aging parents. Extended family who visited Thunder Bay were always offered an open door to his home, a delicious meal and a tour of the city. He was a husband to Patricia, “Dad” to four sons and a daughter, and “Pake” (grandfather) to 17 grandchildren. He delighted in making every holiday the best celebration possible, with pumpkin carving every Thanksgiving and elaborate scavenger hunts every Easter.
Always the vibrant centre of every social gathering, Ben loved to strike up conversations with friends and strangers. He had a genuine interest in the lives of others and a talent for finding something in common with everyone he talked to. He was quick to extend his natural generosity to those less fortunate than he was, and the family’s holiday dinners often included a new friend or two.
When Ben was not working or hosting, he was travelling. He toured Europe with his sister as a young man. When his children were young, he bought and renovated a camp in Lac Des Milles Lac, driving out as a family to spend summer vacations. He loved embarking on cruises with Patricia, flying to warm destinations in the winter with his family, and taking trips to Toronto with his sons and grandsons.
Ben is survived and deeply missed by Patricia, his wife of 45 years, their 5 children, and 17 grandchildren: Justin & Stephanie (Matthew, Caitlin and Andrew), Brandon & Natalie (Bentley, Aubrey, Charlotte and Anneke), Seamus & April (Jack, Koos, Rose and Georgie), Tomas & Allison (Jack, Benjamin, Farrah, Fletcher and Liam), and Bridget & Kevin (Nora).
He is survived and fondly remembered by his brothers and sisters-in-law Ray and Jane Postuma, John and Marge Postuma, sister Wilma Kempe, brother-in-law Cecil Haagsma, brother and sister-in-law Rob and Breda Hewitson, sisters-in-laws Mary Boland and Margaret O’Rourke, and friend Bill Bus. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, friends and extended family in Canada, the Netherlands and Ireland.
Ben was predeceased by his parents Bindert and Tjitske Postuma, his mother-in-law Bridget Aho and her two husbands, Patrick O’Rourke and Arthur Aho; sister Ann Haagsma; his brothers-in-law Tony Kempe, James O’Rourke, Thomas O’Rourke and John Boland, and his nephews Theodore (Ted) Postuma and Evan Hewitson.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 25, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Redwood Park Church with Rev. Gerrit Haagsma officiating. A public interment will be held after the service, at Stanley Hill Cemetery, with a reception to follow. Arrangements entrusted to the Blake Funeral Chapel, 200 May Street S.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the excellent care and compassion that Ben received from all the staff at the TBRHSC and the Toronto General Hospital.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
