August 3, 1934 – December 2, 2024
A beloved husband, father, grandfather/great-grandfather, and brother, Henry “Henk” Eshuis, 90, of Grimsby, Ontario passed on peacefully to be with the Lord on December 2, 2024. Henry was born on August 3, 1934 in the Netherlands to the late Jannes & Gezina Eshuis.
Henry immigrated to Canada with his family in 1953. It was in Essex, Ontario that he met and married his loving wife, Margaret, of 64 years. Henry is survived by his children Sonya Bechard (Joe), Jim Eshuis (Jocelyn), Mark Eshuis (Elaine), Jamila Eshuis, his 10 grandchildren, Gabrielle, Monique (Joe), James, David, Danielle, Samantha (Mike), Reuben, Ingrid, Brandon, Diego, and great granddaughter, Skylar. He was preceded in death by his wife, his mother and father, his step-mother, Dieka, his sister Trudy, his step-siblings Theresa and John, and his grandchildren, Bradley and Anneke.
Throughout his professional life, Henry was a spiritual leader and pastor within the faith communities of several Christian Reformed Churches in southern Ontario. Living a life of faith and ministering to others was his mission. To those he encountered, he was compassionate, loving, and caring and will always be remembered for his guidance and leadership. Living a life of faith was important to him whether that be among congregation members, among his neighborhood, or when with family and friends. Beyond living a life of service to others, he enjoyed landscape painting and working with wood, particularly in contributing to building his own homes or those of others in disaster relief areas. He always enjoyed any time spent with family. Sometimes this included traveling, something he especially enjoyed with Margaret in their latter years.
We are so saddened that Henry has passed on but we are confident he is happy at his home in heaven. We will always miss his presence in our lives but he leaves us with so many beautiful memories. We want to celebrate his life well-lived, his race well-run, and his faith well-kept. He leaves behind a legacy of love in the hearts and lives of each one of us.
Interment will take place on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 9:30am at Pleasantview Memorial Gardens, 2250 Highway 20, Fonthill, Ontario. A funeral service celebrating his life will follow at Trinity Christian Reformed Church at 11:00am, 1230 Old Martindale Rd., St. Catharines, Ontario.
The family requests that all donations be made to World Renew. Please click on this LINK to find out more.
My sincere condolences to the family. I have such fond memories of our families spending time together in Sweaburg and on Denison Island..He was a living example of God’s grace to us all and will be missed by many.
Dear Jim and Jocelyn,
My deepest condolences go out to you and your entire family. I hope it is comforting to know that he live a long and happy life surrounded by the love of his family. Take care.
Our condolences to the Eshuis family. Pastor Eshuis served at Barrie 1st and then as an interim pastor at Barrie Covenant Both of your parents were wonderful friends to my parents Leo & Riet and especially my dad and Pastor Henry shared many of laughs together during his time here. He was a faithful leader that walked alongside our congregations during times of joy and sorrow – and he served faithfully bringing strength and comfort during challenging times. I am very grateful for your parents servant hearts and pray for peace and strength knowing that we do not grieve without hope.
Pastor Henry closed many many services with the doxology of “By the Sea of Crystal”. I recall his face so often when we sign this hymn of faith. …he, along with the saints before him, now reigns in heaven with the Lamb of God.
In Christian love,
Jan & Kathrin Veenstra (nee Dykstra)
So sorry to hear about your father’s promotion to his heavenly home. Let that be your comfort as he will be greatly missed.
Pastor Eshuis was truly a man of God who understood people. I have learned so much from him over the years he was our pastor and will always thank God for having sent him into our life. He loved God and was serious about his faith in God. But he certainly had a good sense of humor also. Here is a good example of that: He was our pastor shortly after Janet and I were married. Shortly after our wedding he came unannounced for a visit in the evening. We wanted to serve him something, but our cupboards were still bare. We had wine and whisky left over from our wedding and that’s what we offered him. He said he would take the whisky on the rocks as we didn’t have soft drinks in the house. He took it all in stride and we had a wonderful visit. He also had a gift of being a good leader. This was evident in the council meetings which in the 70’s were generally chaired by the pastor. God used Pastor Eshuis to bring a sense of peace and stability to our congregation.
I want to extend my condolences to all the children and their families. May God comfort you.
Henry was my pastor as a young child in Strathroy. Back then, the Dutch ministers were not known for their flair. Henry broke the mold. He was a very sharp dresser and had a convertible, if memory serves. Handsome, debonaire. And powerful on the pulpit. Condolances to his family and my old friend Jimmy.
My deepest sympathies to the Eshius Family. You are in my prayers and heart during this sad time. He was a good man. He is in a better place now and no longer in pain. I will miss you Uncle Henk. I enjoyed those times we visited with you at Ruth and Gerry’s. I hope you enjoy your reunion with you family in heaven, Hugs to you all,
Love: Juidy
Our deep condolences to all of you. Pastor Henry has been a great support for us when we went through loss and grieving. May you all find peace knowing that he is now in heaven
Rev Eshuis baptized our eldest daughter, while serving at First CRC, Guelph. We remember him fondly. Our condolences to you Mark and Elaine, and all the others in your extended family.
Sorry for your loss Jimmy. Take care.
Van harte gecondoleerd met het verlies van jullie geliefde vader, opa en overgrootopa.
Groet uit Holland van jullie nichtje.
My condolences to you all, thinking of you today.
I was saddened to see Rev. Eshuis had passed away. But he had a good long life and set a fine example for many people. He will certainly be missed throughout the CRC and beyond.
My sincere condolences to his family. May God comfort your sadness with His presence and may your memories sustain you in those difficult times.