Obituary for Willy Hendrikus Salemink
SALEMINK, William “Willy”
September 30, 1946- February 19, 2022
With sadness in our hearts, we share Willy passed away February 19, 2022, at the age of 75, in Surrey, BC, Canada.
Wilhelmus Hendrikus Oferardus Maria Salemink was born in Gendt, Netherlands, September 30, 1946.
As a toddler Willy immigrated to Canada with his parents and two brothers, Hans and Alex, settling in Warren, Ontario working hard (having fun with neighbours that were like family) and tending to their family farm.
Willy is predeceased by his parents Alexander Salemink and Yohanna “Annie” Salemink (nee De Haan) and his six siblings, Hans, Alex Jr., Ernie, Maria, Hans Jr. and Everdina Salemink.
Missing him is his niece Erica Salemink and family, Tchad, Zach, Dane & Juliette Toussaint, nephew Blake Salemink of BC, Canada. As well as extended family and many good friends and colleagues he made during his 50-year career in the IT industry.
He grew up in a rural area on the family dairy farm, milking cows twice a day, cars, dogs,
and lots of road trips, explorations with siblings and friends, including a teen trip with
Willy at the wheel to Montreal for Expo ’67.
After high school he showed his entrepreneurial spirit by taking ownership of a pizzeria in Toronto. Then Willy returned to school and a roommate connected him with his first IT job. Working at INCO as a database Administrator, next Gov’t of Alberta, he was a key resource in helping build their Motor Vehicles System. Then Software AG as a Manager of the data centre and Customer Support. He headed the group that provided support to some of the largest organizations in Canada. Wherever Willy was he always continued to care for and support his family. Willy became wheelchair bound but he did not let his physical limitations bother him. In September 2001 he moved to Hawaii and supported these same products for the State of Hawaii working for eWorld for 20+ years. Willy loved database management and large mainframe computers!
Willy was intelligent, patient, funny, kind, and generous to all. During his whole career he was immensely liked, respected, and valued by all who he came in contact with. He always had a positive outlook and contributed much value to his community, whether it be coming in on the weekend to work on a project to support another team, dress as Santa Clause for the company party or share his immense knowledge of computer technology to help a colleague solve their problems. One of the student reviews from a class he taught said, “Willy walks on water.” Well, now Willy can walk on water.
Thank-you to Willy’s eWorld family and customers for their memorial tribute via Zoom that took place on March 10, 2022.
We are planning a celebration of life Sept 30, 2022 in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Family and close friends will take a boat from Liko’s (formerly The Shack) Willy’s favourite spot, out to sea. We will spread Willy’s ashes and sending him off to enjoy the Aloha spirit. Willy will remain fondly in our hearts and thoughts. Following, we invite friends and colleagues to join us at Liko’s Tap & Table, to raise a
glass of one of Willy’s favourites, Johnnie Walker, Heineken, or Rickards, to toast and honour Willy.
If you wish to donate in Willy’s memory you can do so at Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
https://muscle.akaraisin.com/ui/directgiving/donations/start
September 30, 1946- February 19, 2022
With sadness in our hearts, we share Willy passed away February 19, 2022, at the age of 75, in Surrey, BC, Canada.
Wilhelmus Hendrikus Oferardus Maria Salemink was born in Gendt, Netherlands, September 30, 1946.
As a toddler Willy immigrated to Canada with his parents and two brothers, Hans and Alex, settling in Warren, Ontario working hard (having fun with neighbours that were like family) and tending to their family farm.
Willy is predeceased by his parents Alexander Salemink and Yohanna “Annie” Salemink (nee De Haan) and his six siblings, Hans, Alex Jr., Ernie, Maria, Hans Jr. and Everdina Salemink.
Missing him is his niece Erica Salemink and family, Tchad, Zach, Dane & Juliette Toussaint, nephew Blake Salemink of BC, Canada. As well as extended family and many good friends and colleagues he made during his 50-year career in the IT industry.
He grew up in a rural area on the family dairy farm, milking cows twice a day, cars, dogs,
and lots of road trips, explorations with siblings and friends, including a teen trip with
Willy at the wheel to Montreal for Expo ’67.
After high school he showed his entrepreneurial spirit by taking ownership of a pizzeria in Toronto. Then Willy returned to school and a roommate connected him with his first IT job. Working at INCO as a database Administrator, next Gov’t of Alberta, he was a key resource in helping build their Motor Vehicles System. Then Software AG as a Manager of the data centre and Customer Support. He headed the group that provided support to some of the largest organizations in Canada. Wherever Willy was he always continued to care for and support his family. Willy became wheelchair bound but he did not let his physical limitations bother him. In September 2001 he moved to Hawaii and supported these same products for the State of Hawaii working for eWorld for 20+ years. Willy loved database management and large mainframe computers!
Willy was intelligent, patient, funny, kind, and generous to all. During his whole career he was immensely liked, respected, and valued by all who he came in contact with. He always had a positive outlook and contributed much value to his community, whether it be coming in on the weekend to work on a project to support another team, dress as Santa Clause for the company party or share his immense knowledge of computer technology to help a colleague solve their problems. One of the student reviews from a class he taught said, “Willy walks on water.” Well, now Willy can walk on water.
Thank-you to Willy’s eWorld family and customers for their memorial tribute via Zoom that took place on March 10, 2022.
We are planning a celebration of life Sept 30, 2022 in Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Family and close friends will take a boat from Liko’s (formerly The Shack) Willy’s favourite spot, out to sea. We will spread Willy’s ashes and sending him off to enjoy the Aloha spirit. Willy will remain fondly in our hearts and thoughts. Following, we invite friends and colleagues to join us at Liko’s Tap & Table, to raise a
glass of one of Willy’s favourites, Johnnie Walker, Heineken, or Rickards, to toast and honour Willy.
If you wish to donate in Willy’s memory you can do so at Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
https://muscle.akaraisin.com/ui/directgiving/donations/start