Rene Martinus VANDERVELDE

VANDERVELDE Rene M. 1935 - 2006 Rene Martinus Vandervelde passed away at the age of 70 on Friday, April 7, 2006 after a long, courageous, and determined battle with prostate cancer. His great love of life, expansive spirit and sense of humour touched everyone who knew him. Rene was born May 12, 1935 in Leeuwarden, in the Dutch province of Frysland. He spent much of the German occupation of Holland on the Harmsma farm in Joure, Holland. Rene's secondary education began with a degree in Hotel Management in Holland. Continuing his studies in Canada, he earned his M.B.A. from the University of Windsor in Ontario. Rene married Claudette Demers and had two daughters, Gabrielle and Nadine. The family later moved to Alberta where he worked as District Manager of Versafood Services. Rene's life took an unexpected turn in the mid-seventies, while looking for fossils. After coming across the little known fossilized gemstone Ammolite, Rene traded his chef's cap for a white cotton slouch hat and took to fossil-hunting full time. Rene developed and owned the Natural History Museum in Banff until 1981. Korite was purchased in 1979 with partners James Rae and Bill Jarvis. Pierre Pare and Wilson Yip joined the partnership and together they built Korite Minerals. They started Canada Fossils in 1985. Rene was instrumental in having Ammolite recognized as a gemstone, marketing it worldwide. For his accomplishments he was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal in 2005. Rene married Shelley Vollans in Banff in 1986. They loved scuba diving. Together they traveled the world, diving in such remote spots as Tonga and Malaysia. Shelley was a strong and loving supporter of Rene throughout his long illness. Shelley retired from her career as a Speech Pathologist to spend more time with Rene in his remaining years. Rene enjoyed cooking. He was a lover of fine food and wines, and an active member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs. An avid outdoorsman and fitness fanatic, Rene loved to swim, scuba dive, sail, cross country ski, hike, jog and bicycle. He had a great love for the arts and was passionate about classical music. He was a spirited bridge player and keen collector of antique silver. Rene is survived by his loving wife, Shelley Vandervelde; his daughters, Gabrielle and her spouse Jill Wigle; and Nadine and son-in-law Scott Kraft; granddaughters, Gabrielle and Beatrice; sister Betty Porteous; their extended families, and a very large circle of friends and business associates. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Fish Creek Chapel (14441 Bannister Road S.E.) on Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . Because Rene was a lifelong supporter of the Red Cross, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes be made directly to the Canadian Red Cross, 1305 - 11 Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB T3C 3P6 (Telephone 403-541-6100, www.redcross.ca ). In living memory of Rene Vandervelde, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek rovincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek Chapel, 14441 BANNISTER ROAD S.E. Telephone: 403-256-9575.