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On Friday, January 5, 2018 John (Jan) Harm Brink, age 68 years, passed away peacefully at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre with family by his side.

John came to Canada in 1953 from The Netherlands. John attended school at Five Mile Public School, Hammarskjold High School and Confederation College.

John began his full-time working career as a social worker with Children’s Aid Society in Fort Frances, Ontario.

John joined the OPP in 1972. John spent his OPP career in Northwestern Ontario, serving in Kakabeka Falls, Upsala, Nipigon, Armstrong and Thunder Bay. 
John was involved in Media Relations, Crime Stoppers and the start up of the OPP Christmas Parade in 1990. 

After 29 years with the OPP John retired in 2001. John continued part-time work while waiting for his wife to retire. One of his favourite part time employments was with Nishinawbe Aski Police Services. 

John enjoyed time with family and friends especially at camp, fondly known as ‘‘The Shack’’. John’s specialty coffee was well known and enjoyed by many friends and family at ‘‘The Shack’’ in Devon Township.

‘’The Shack’’ was eventually remodeled into a home where he and his wife resided for the last few years. 

John is survived by wife Linda Brink, son Sean (Rachelle) Brink, daughters Alyson (Danny) Ariganello and Erin (Patrick) Barclay, grandsons Ryder and Brody Brink, grandson Michael and (Favorite) granddaughter Hailey Ariganello, grandsons Sheldon and Carter Barclay, brothers Anton (Marian) Brink, Henry (Kathy) Brink, sisters Hilda Brink, Alice Vanderwees, Jane (Ray) Postuma, Giekka (Ton) Rijsmus, sister-in-law Irene Brink, brother-in-law Donald (Nancy) Lahti, sisters-in-law Donna (Tony) Dibiagio, Diane Lahti (Al Timko) and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. John will forever be in their hearts and memories.

Predeceased by father and mother Herman and Aaltje Brink, brother Bud Brink, sisters Doreen Vanderbos, Antonia Brink, Henny Ypma, brothers-in-law Keith Vanderwees and Martin Vandenbos, nephew Rodney Ypma, father and mother-in-law Ken and Teanie Lahti.

A Reception in Celebration of John’s Life will take place on Friday, January the 12th at Harbourview Funeral Centre, 499 N. Cumberland St. Thunder Bay, between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Bryce Brown and the wonderful staff of ICU for their amazing care and support. 

In memory of John, donations may be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation – Northern Cancer Fund. 



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