Leendert Kooij - 1939-2016 - Visitation & Service details

Visitation:
2:00-4:00pm and 7:00-9:00pm on Sunday April 10, 2016

Memorial Service:
2:00pm on Monday April 11, 2016

Both visitation and memorial service will be held at Springdale Christian Reformed Church. Click here for a map. 


Obituary:

Leendert Kooy (Kooij)
A.R.C.T., Director of the Ontario Christian Music Assembly for 55 years

"Safe in the arms of Jesus", peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto on Thursday, April 7, 2016, of Toronto at 76 years of age. Beloved husband of late Maria. Father of Bill & Marg Kooy - Will (Emily), late Lisa, Sandra (Joe), Brandon (Kim); Rick & Monique Kooy - Daniel, Matthew; Johanna & Julio Alburquerque - Jireissy, Jifreissy, Julio Jr.; Harry & Sharon Kooy - Bradley (Laura), Katelyn (Jordan), Stacey (Jon), Jason; Jackie & Paul Dykxhoorn - Joel (Rachel), Joshua (Erika), Jesse (Shannon); Francy & Karl VanderVeen - Maria (Ryan), James (Jamie), Justin (Wendy), Rachel, Sarah; Len & Carrie Kooy - Felicia (Johan), Andrew (Kendall), Thomas, Darren (Alyssa), Evan (Megan); Albert & Mary-Ann Kooy - Peter (Jillayna), Timothy, Rebecca, Daniel, Michael, Carolyn; Benjamin & Joann Kooy - Alex, Jordan; and 15 great grandchildren. Loving brother of Arie & Nienke Kooy; Annie & Klaas Streutker; Kees & Alice Kooy; late Jan & Diane Kooy; Adrian & Willie Kooy. Special thanks to the staff at Sunnybrook Hospital, especially, Dr. Emmenegger and Nurse Sima. Friends may call at the Springdale Christian Reformed Church, 1466 5th Sideroad, Bradford for visitation on Sunday, April 10, 2016 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Memorial service will be held at the Church on Monday, April 11, 2016 at 2 p.m. Arrangements entrusted to SKWARCHUK FUNERAL HOME, Bradford (1-800-209-4803).

Safe in the Arms of Jesus

Dear Friends,

Dad went home to be with the Lord this afternoon. We are thankful he died peacefully as we were around his bed, singing some of his favourite songs. While painful and difficult, we are comforted by the fact that dad's faith was in Jesus, who he now is seeing face to face!

Thank you for all your prayers and support. We know the only way we have had the strength to make it through these days is because of all your prayers. Please continue to pray for comfort, strength and courage as we face the flurry of things that will happen in the next few days.

We hope to post details for visitation and the service on this blog tomorrow, so check back tomorrow afternoon for those details.

Seven Days Ago ...

It was a week ago today that we brought dad to the hospital in respitory distress (he was struggling to breathe). Today was a tough day.

After meeting with the medical staff this morning, we understood that dad's lungs are not improving. While we don't know what each day will bring, we were told the next couple days will give us a clearer picture.

Please continue to pray for healing, but also for peace for dad and the family. It's hard to see him struggle at times. We thank Our Heavenly Father for the strength he is giving us. We know many people are praying. Thank you!

The Fight of His Life

Yes, I know that title sounds dramatic, but it really is true. Dad's lungs are the main concern. The medical staff aren't sure what the cause is, but they are now leaning towards some type of virus that is causing damage to the lungs. So, dad continues to be connected via a breathing tube to a ventilator. This is a big challenge for him because of discomfort of having the tube in him, as well as being frustrating for him since it means he can't talk. Honestly, it is strange to be by his side and not be hearing a steady stream of stories. I'm sure you all know what I am talking about. :)

So, please pray for strength for dad to fight off this virus in his lungs. Also, keep praying for peace as he struggles at times with the breathing tube. We are trying to help him realize that the breathing tube is helping give his body a chance to fight this virus, so please pray he will understand and accept that, so he won't be as frustrated and agitated at times.

Also, please continue to pray for wisdom for the medical staff. They are doing a great job and we are thankful for all the nurses, specialists and doctors who attend to dad.

I know a number of the family members have noted that we really do feel the prayer support. So, thank you again and please continue to pray for strength and healing. We are humbled by your encouragement and prayers.

Some have asked about visiting dad. Considering his present condition, visiting is limited to family members only. If that changes, we will let you know. Also, feel free to leave comments on the blog. We are happy to read those to dad so you can know he also knows you are praying for him.

The Journey Continues

Dad continues to be on ventilator but has spent most of the afternoon initiating breaths, which the machine detects and then it helps him complete the breath. This is part of the weaning process for dad as they try to slowly decrease his dependence on the machine to help him breathe. We were told that this weaning process can take a number of days, so we are all trying to be patient. The hope is that dad's lungs will clear up enough for him to no longer need the breathing tube. How long will that take? No one wants to give us an answer to that question because they honestly aren't sure.

Please pray for peace and patience for dad. Sometimes it seems he becomes more aware of his breathing tube and becomes agitated. Please pray he will be able to relax enough to allow this weaning process to happen. Also, pray for wisdom and skill for the medical staff.

As a family we are thankful for all the prayers and support and ask for continued prayer for strength, wisdom, and patience as we try to care for dad in the best way.

Some Sunday Progress

Thank you for your prayers! We feel them as a family and can tell people are praying. So thank you!!

Dad continues to fight the pneumonia but there are some positive signs we are seeing today. One sign is that he is starting to get a fever, which shows his body is fighting the infection. Another sign is that the medical staff has been starting the process of trying to wean dad off of the ventilator. They tried this yesterday a bit, but dad wasn't responding well to it. Today they tried it again and this time dad is showing he is able to handle it a bit. So, that is a bit of progress; small, but good.

Also, some people have let us know that the comments section wasn't working for them. Sorry about that. The settings have been changed now, so feel free to try again. There may be a time lag between making the comment and it going "live", but that is part how this blog is set up. Thanks for your patience!

Thank you once again for your prayers. Please continue to pray for healing for dad, for peace for him, for wisdom for the medical staff, and for wisdom and strength for our family. We thank our heavenly Father for his love and grace to us during this time and we know that He is showing that love and grace directly as well as through your continued support and encouragement. We thank God for all of you!

Dear Family & Friends

This blog has been set up to keep everyone updated, rather than trying to manage emails and texts. We also liked the ability to have people be able to share comments that everyone in the family could read and be encouraged.

Dad was admitted to Sunnybrook hospital on Wednesday morning because he was struggling to breathe. They assessed him, put him on oxygen and began to treat him for some kind of lung issue. Their best guess was pneumonia. Dad was transferred to ICU and was placed in isolation in case he had a viral infection and to protect him as well. During this time, dad was still struggling to keep his oxygen levels up and was getting more and more tired from not being able to sleep.

On Thursday evening he was transferred to Critical Care where he was able to get a bit of sleep, but once again struggled to keep his oxygen levels up. By this time, the medical staff was quite sure this was some kind of pneumonia. What complicates the matter is that the cancer treatments he has been going through have knocked out his immune system. So, his body is struggling to fight this, even with the help of a broad spectrum of antibiotics.

Thursday evening, the medical team decided to put dad on a ventilator to help him get his oxygen levels up and to give his body rest. The sedation and breathing tube have helped his levels increase and for his body to rest. However, he is now not able to speak and is very groggy from the medication.

The next couple days will be very critical. The hope is that with the rest and help with from the ventilator, dad's body will be able to fight off the pneumonia, his lungs would clear and he could breathe on his own again.

Visitors are very limited in this unit and only family is allowed to visit at this time.

Please pray for dad. Pray for healing physically, but also for the Spirit of God to make the love of God so real to him that he would have a peace that is beyond our human understanding. Over the past few days, I have been able to share scripture with dad and pray with him. He has said to me and everyone else that he knows that if his time here is almost done, he knows where he is going and he is ok with that. We all find comfort in that fact.

I would ask that you would also pray for our family; my brothers and sisters and extended family would appreciate prayer for comfort, strength, patience, wisdom and love that we might find healing in the midst of this time.