Dank voor je reactie Hannie. De verhalen waar je naar verwijst, staan ook in de linkjes onderaan het verhaal vermeld, zodat iedereen verder kan lezen hoe het de familie Smits vergaan is.

En op site stast ook de familie smits valt uit een.

Staat ook op de site hoe het veder ging met de familie smits
De familie smits heeft veel mee gemaakt

Dat moeten inderdaad bittere tijden zijn geweest, Hanny. Bijna niet voor te stellen voor de huidige generatie die dankzij de moderne technische middelen altijd en overal gemakkelijk contact kunnen leggen met het thuisfront. Maar in de tijd van je ome Toon bleef het gauw bij brieven schrijven, bellen was enorm duur. Wat je zegt: zware tijden voor iemand in het buitenland die de taal niet machtig is.

In april 1966 kwam ome Toon en Tante Bernice naar Nederland Opa Marinus Smits was toen ziek en stierf op 10 oktober 1966 in Schijndel ome Toon had er heel slecht in Canada moest hard werken kende de taal hij had het het heel zwaar

Thank you very much for your gripping story about your grandfather Tony (Toon) Smits. What a courage, a real surviver! I understand your grandfather was very special to you grandchilderen. I hope you use Stamboom on our website to search for Dutch information about the family of your grandfather.

Antonius Gerardus Smits(Tony) was born June 2nd 1928 at Den Dugen NBR Holland to Marinus and Johanne Francina Smits.
Tony left his homeland at age 24 and came to Canada. He made his home with the Brewster Family of Earl Grey, Sk. These people helped him to learn the English language.
Tony married Bernice Simons of Oxbow, Sk. On July 21st 1955. To this union four children were born- Wendell, Ferlon, Leona and Marinus. He worked on the oil rigs in that area until 1958. In 1959 they were in Lampman, Sk. Then move to Nipawin, Sk. In the early 1960s. They ran the Riverview gas station there for 1 year, then to White Fox running one there and driving school bus. He took up farming North West of White Fox for awhile. In 1970 they made their home on an acreage East of Codette and Tony also worked for the town of Nipawin. In 1975 came the move to what was their final homestead, Smits Beach, by the Saskatchewan River. This was Tony’s dream. He loved the outdoor life and worked endless hours alongside his family developing their property into a resort. Early morning or in the evening you could find him at the lake fishing or visiting friends. The family had many happy times with birthday parties and picnics in their spacious camp grounds. Grandpa was special to his grandchildren and they loved to spend time together.
Tony and Bernice went to Holland in 1964 and again in 1983 to visit family.
Tony passed away at Nipawin Union Hospital on April 26th 1994 at age 65 from lung cancer.