Harry (Hendrik Thomas) Neudoerffer Venema
4 April 2007 – 3 August 2008
4 April 2007 – 3 August 2008
After a valiant journey, our beloved Prince Harry passed on peacefully and quickly in the evening of August 3rd. He was surrounded by the love of family and friends in every moment of his life and in every moment of his passing.
Harry was a young boy and a dazzling spirit who loved the Wolseley neighbourhood and the activities at the Robert A. Steen Community Centre. He loved the #10 bus and he delighted in watching the kids at Laura Secord School. He loved Family Fun Night at the community centre and made many friends there. He enjoyed watching his big sister Lydia at dance class and soccer; he played in the wading pool, and thoroughly enjoyed the annual soccer Jamboree, especially the bouncy castle.
Harry loved the Laura Secord and Aubrey Street playgrounds and was an avid Kindermusik participant. He approached each day with a sense of joy, love, courage, and accomplishment. He touched us deeply with the wisdom of his soul, and his powerful courage drew us forward with him into a future full of hope. His struggle with illness brought many people in the community together, forging lasting bonds of love.
Harry will be held forever in the hearts of his parents, Cynthia and Henry, his big sister Lydia, his grandparents Norma Neudoerffer and Grace and Dave Venema, his aunts Cecelia (Jan), Sarah (Christophe), Alexandra (Gary), and Kathleen (Gareth), and by his cousins Stas, Thomas, Sophie, Luisa, Roland, Gwyneth, Simon (Judith), and Sara (Matt), as well as by all the members of his large, extended family, and innumerable friends around the world.
His family would like to thank all the many healers who accompanied Harry on his journey.
In lieu of flowers, a fund in Harry’s name is being set up to support youth sports activities at the Robert A. Steen Community Centre. Please check for details at hendriksjourney.blogspot.com.
A celebratory gathering marking Harry’s cremation will be held at Aubrey Park playground (Aubrey Street south of Wolseley Avenue) at 10 am on Sunday August 10th. A celebration of Harry’s life will then be held at St. Mary’s Road United Church (613 St. Mary’s Road) at 3 pm on Sunday August 10th. Everyone is welcome to join us at both celebrations.
Arrangements by Seasons Funeral Service, 444-5444.
Just for today, I will not get angry
Just for today, I will not worry
Just for today, I will be grateful to my neighbor and every living thing
Just for today, I will work hard
Just for today, I will be kind to others
-The Reiki Principles
28 comments:
David on the West Coast and I here in Ontario are so deeply saddened by Harry's death. Please just know that we are sending our incoherent but loving thoughts and prayers your direction.
Kathy and David Waltner-Toews
Henry, Cynthia and Lydia,
I am so very sorry to hear that Harry has passed away. It was an honour to have known him. He reflected all the joy and love that you so obviously gave to him. My heart goes out to you and all of your family, and my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Ruth Ross
Dear Cynthia and Hank
We are deeply sad to know about Harry’s untimely demise. I can only recall when I met him last year and he was such a charming child. At this hour of demise of your beloved son we share our heartfelt CONDOLENCES with you. Let his soul rest in PEACE in the feet of ALMIGHTY. Have courage to face the situations and we are all with you in sharing your irreparable loss, which no words can fill in.
We all prey GOD to give you the strength.
Dear Cynthia, Hank and Lydia,
Trish and I are deeply saddened by the news of your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Martin.
Such a lovely tribute to Harry - please know that we are thinking of you and your family and are deeply saddened by your loss.
Krista and Carl Rajsic
Cyn, Henry, Lydia -
Harry was able to bring much joy and happiness to many in his short life. Through this journey, he was able to bring us together in love and peace. The example that you have shown in your beliefs and courage are truly inspiring. Our hearts and prayers go out to you.
Love Laura and Bernie Muise
Dear Hank and Cynthia.
Harry’s pictures show the bright joy that you and others described. May Harry's spirit live through all those he touched.
With deepest sympathies,
Dave Connell
Dear Hank, Cynthia and Lydia,
My family would like to wish you peace, strength and comfort today and beyond. I have been amazed by the courage and spirit you brought to face a challenge the breadth of which I cannot even begin to fathom. I hope that brightness continues to sustain you all in the days to come. You are in our thoughts.
Dennis, Randi, Tekla and Ellis
There is an artist named Regina Spektor and one of her songs is called "On the Radio". Here is a few lines from the lyrics of that song that keep coming back to me:
This is how it works
You're young until you're not
You love until you don't
You try until you can't
You laugh until you cry
You cry until you laugh
And everyone must breathe
Until their dying breath
No this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
Then try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some -
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again
----
We all love you Harry, as well as you Cynthia, Henry and Lydia.
Janine, Mark, Sienna, and Aria
Dear Hank,
We at Environment Canada are very sad to hear about your son Harry's death. Please know that our thoughts and our prayers are with you and your family at this very difficult time.
With our most sincere condolences,
Luis Leigh and Environment Canada Team.
Dear Cynthia, Henry and Lydia,
coming home I learned via Volkmar that Harry has passed away after having been so stong and vital fighting. We Halfmanns are very sad and want you to know that our thoughts and prayers and wishes are with you
Love Editha, Hans.Hendrik, Niklas, Robert, Lukas and Leon
We just heard the news of Hendrik passing away. This should have never happend. Now we can never have the opportunity to meet Hendrik and play. May he rest in peace.
Our deepest condolances go to Henry, Cynthia and Lydia.
Wishing you all the strength you need in the days to come.
Trees, Gerrit, Petra, Dennis, Luc, Rick and Vincent from Holland
Dear Cynthia, Henry and Lydia,
We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you. What we have come to know is that all that really matters in life is love. Some people go through life not really knowing love. May it be a great comfort to you to know that you gave Harry a long lifetimes' worth of love and he returned that love. He was able to bring so many people together in faith and love in his short life. Your faith, positive attitude and strength has been so inspiring. Our prayer for you is to continue to honor Harry with your faith, positive attitude and strength. Harry was so blessed to have had such a loving experience on earth.
All our love to you all,
Kris and Cori
Dear Henry, Cynthia, and Lydia,
We were deeply saddened by the news of Harry's passing. We feel greatly privileged to have been able to meet him together with you at Gareth and Kathleen's earlier this summer in Winnipeg. Our prayer for you is that you be given much strength and patience to grieve the loss of Harry, and to know God's comforting presence throughout.
Tom, Rebecca, David and Miriam Yoder Neufeld
I am so sad to hear this news. Last time I saw you, Hank, you were very hopeful and positive about Harry's situation.
It gives me pause to be thankful for all that we have.
Cherish your family and your beautiful memories of Harry.
Anne
Dear Henry and Cynthia
We are very saddened to hear the news of Harry's death. We are praying that you will find strength to get through this situation.
Donna and Tom
Dear Cynthia, Henry and Lydia,
With the heaviest of hearts, we send our deepest sympathy. We were shocked and so saddened to hear of your Prince Harry's passing. You are a truly amazing and special family and I am so glad that Harry's every moment was surrounded by your love. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
so very, very much love,
Deb, Tom, Matthew and Tobin
When I looked up into the sky I noticed a new bright star. Harry will always shine and is never far.
At the end of every journey there is both joy and sadness. We are deeply saddened to hear about Harry's passing, but at the same time we celebrate as he embarks on a new journey and finds freedom from disease.
Thank you to Gareth and Kathleen (and of course Cynthia and Harry) for keeping this blog - this blog has ignited a hurricane of love, community and positive thinking.
Through his story and his spirit, Harry will live on in the hearts of many...even those who did not know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Desiree, Arik, Olivia and Madeleine
Henry, Cynthia, Lydia, and your extended family,
I and my sons Doug and David were the Venema family's neighbours on St. Anne's Road; and David has been in recent contact with you.
Looking at Harry's picture,his obituary, and the blog contents, I reflect on the love, positive energy, courage and celebration of life evident in Harry's journey with his family and friends.
Please accept my sincere condolences, and my wish for your continued courage, support,and comfort.
Barbara Kelly.
Dear Henry, Cynthia and Lydia,
Rebecca and I are so sorry for your loss. Harry was such a wonderful boy. You and Lydia were so blessed to have him, and he to have you as loving parents and big sister. Please accept our condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love,
David Kelly and Rebecca Mickney
It's difficult to find the words that say just what I feel, and yet I hope that somehow this message will reveal that my thoughts are with the family and close friends of Harry as you face the difficult days ahead
I caught the name Venema while I was going through the obituaries in the newspaper on Saturday (I went to Victor Mager and Dakota with Alexandra and Kathleen)
I was saddened to read of the passing of your beautiful "Prince Harry"
I then read the blog space "Harry's Journey" . . . what a beautiful tribute.
Again my thoughts and prayers are with you all . . .
Mariane Lauritsen
It is so very sad when a child travels to the next plane. Please know that there are others who share your pain, and want to talk, grieve, sit quietly, and love you through this. I've known many families who found help at http://www.missfoundation.org/. The MISS Foundation is a nonprofit, international foundation which provides ongoing support to grieving families... Sometimes being able to chat with a detached but commisserating person is very helpful. Kindest blessings to you all.
Dear Henry, Cynthia, Lydia and the Venema and Neudoerffer families,
We know that Harry was deeply loved by many and that he touched the hearts of many more. We send our thoughts, support, our prayers and our love.
Tony & Andrea
Very sorry to hear this news. A big hug to you and the family. Ricardo Ramirez (Guelph)
Cynthia, Hank and Lydia, I want to offer you the words of this prayer that has helped me in times of distress.
"O God! Refresh and gladden my spirit. Purify my heart. Illumine my powers. I lay all may affairs in Thy hand. Thou art my Guide and my Refuge. I will no longer be sorrowful and grieved; I will be a happy and joyful being. O God! I will no longer be full of anxiety, nor will I let trouble harass me. I will not dwell on the unpleasant things of life.
O God! Thou are more friend to me than I am to myself. I dedicate myself to Thee, O Lord."
Actually, though, it seems this prayer is already being answered on a daily basis in your lives.
Lot's of love,
Lance, Aleja and Elham
Dear Henry, Cynthia and Lydia,
I am so sorry for your great loss. I attended your gathering at Aubrey Park and was moved by your family's strength and love, and by the stories of your darling boy. I never took much notice of the #10 bus before (strange, having lived in Wolseley all my life!), but now, everytime I hear it roar by the Wolseley/Ruby St. intersection, I can't help but think of a smiling Harry. I wish you comfort and healing in this difficult time.
Your neighbour,
Ruby (and Matthew and Josiah)
Dear Cynthia, Henry & Lydia,
We have had dear little Harry and all of you, and your extended family, in our hearts and minds every moment these past few weeks. We will continue to hold Harry tight in our hearts and thoughts and meditations as he now continues on his important journey.
Cynthia, Mum and I were grateful that you had a moment to speak with us last week, and from the post of the memorial service Sunday morning, it is clear that the Joy of Harry's life, that was his gift to you and everyone, as you said -- so, so much from such a wee source! -- lives on with you and for you and through you.
Just a day or two after hearing the news of Harry's passing, I was in a bakery in Mabou and picked up a lovely, almost certainly out-of-print book of photos and poems called, I think, "Mother & Children." Flipping through, I came upon this beautiful excerpt from "A Rhapsody of Life's Progress" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and my eyes brimmed with tears and my heart and mind immediately flew to little Harry...
We are borne into life -- it is sweet, it is strange!
We lie still on the knee of a mild Mystery,
Which smiles with a change!
But we doubt not of changes, we know not of spaces;
The Heavens seem as near as our own mother's face is,
And we think we could touch all the stars that we see;
And the milk of our mother is white on our mouth!
And, with small childish hands, we are turning around
The apple of Life which another has found: --
It is warm with our touch, not with sun of the south,
And we count, as we turn it, the red side for four --
O Life, O Beyond,
Thou art sweet, thou art strange evermore.
We all send our love,
Katy, Aunt Barbara, Ayad, Junia & Theo
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