Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Hendricks (Henry) Wiersema, age 79 years, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in Atikokan on September 24, 2025.
Henry was born in Groningen, Netherlands, on July 29, 1946, to Jan and Froukje Wiersema. He immigrated to Canada with his family in 1952 at the age of five. After a short time in Winnipeg, the family moved to the Rainy River District and began dairy farming. Henry left the family farm at the age of sixteen and lived in Winnipeg until moving to Atikokan in 1964, where he met the love of his life, Margaret Jean Bain. They were married on September 18, 1965, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Henry and Jeannie built a wonderful life together in Atikokan, raising their two children: daughter Pamela and son Dale. Life in Atikokan was spent in the great outdoors with many camping trips, days at the beach, and numerous trips to visit family in Rainy River and Winnipeg, as well as family vacations to the west coast. Henry was always a prankster and loved playing with and teasing his kids and grandkids. Henry enjoyed hunting, fishing, and especially his annual fishing trips to the White Otter Castle.
Henry and Jeannie enjoyed travelling together, creating treasured memories in Hawaii, Mexico, Texas and Florida. More recently, trips were mainly to Thunder Bay to spend time with their children and grandchildren.
Henry worked as a Heavy Equipment Mechanic at Steep Rock Iron Mines until its closure in 1979. He went on to work for several employers, including Great Lakes Forest Products, various construction jobs, including Atikokan Generating Station, and finally Atikokan Forest Products, where he worked as a millwright until his retirement.
Henry leaves behind his loving wife of 60 years, Jeannie, daughter Pamela (Joe) Fayrick, son Dale (Maxine) Wiersema, grandchildren Dylan (Amy) and Cassandra Fayrick; Eric, Daniel and Adam Wiersema, as well as great-grandchildren Maisie and Molly Fayrick. He is also survived by siblings Annie Bakker, Bertha Dieleman, Archie (Eleanor) Wiersema, Corrie (Janice) Wiersema, Eltjo (Dorothy) Wiersema and Anneke (Nelson) Brown, as well as sister-in-law’s Jean Wiersema and Hetty Wiersema.
He was predeceased by his parents, Jan and Froukje Wiersema, as well as siblings Nick Wiersema, Feitze (Klazine) Wiersema, Louie (Elsa) Wiersema, Thea (Thys) Sinninghe, Bernie Wiersema, Ann (Burt) van Leeuwen, Harry (Mary) Wiersema, John Wiersema and Lottie (Archie) Schanowski, as well as brother-in-law’s Hank Bakker and Dan Dieleman
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Riverview United Church in Atikokan.
In lieu of flowers, should family and friends so desire, donations made in memory of Henry to the Riverview United Church, Atikokan General Hospital, or charity of your choice would be greatly appreciated.
Please sign the online condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
