Maarten passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, March 29, 2026 at the age of 78 after a brief illness.

He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife of 55 years, Doreen (née Rogers), and by his daughters and their families: Julie Shaw (Trevor) of Meaford, Heidi Keyzer (Doug Amell) of Moose Jaw, and Angela Lougheed (Dan) of Ottawa. He was a proud and cherished grandfather to Caelan, Kira and Kada Shaw; Sage, Devon and Drew Amell; Brooke and Madelyn Lougheed.

Predeceased by his parents Aart in 2014 and Nellie Keyzer in 2015, Maarten leaves behind his three younger siblings Ria Bardeau and her partner Steve Quinn, Gary Keyzer, Tina Gray, as well as many nieces and nephews who remember him fondly. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law Tim Bardeau.

Maarten was born on August 22, 1947, in Voorburg, Netherlands where he spent his early childhood. In the spring of 1954, at the age of six, he and his family embarked on the long journey across the Atlantic to Canada aboard the S.S. Waterman, settling first in Dixie (now Mississauga) where his father worked at Chudleigh’s Orchard.

In 1958, the Keyzer family moved to Quiet Valley Road near Heathcote where Maarten’s parents fulfilled their dream of farming—a dream that continued when they later moved to the Old Mail Road in 1967.

In the winter of 1966, Maarten met the love of his life, Doreen Rogers at the Rocklyn skating rink. The couple dated for the next four years until they married on July 18, 1970. Maarten apprenticed for carpentry under Doreen’s brothers Orville and Laverne of Roger’s Enterprises and later graduated from George Brown College for Carpentry.

Maarten and Doreen (affectionately referred to as “Martini & Deanie”) made their first home in Kitchener where Doreen completed her training as a Registered Nurse.  In early 1972, they moved to Meaford with their daughter Julie, and over the next five years welcomed two more daughters, Heidi and Angela.

Maarten worked in carpentry for several years.  In 1976, he built the family home on the 3^rd Line, where he and Doreen raised their three girls. Throughout the 1980’s and early 1990’s, he farmed alongside his father at the Old Mail Road farm raising swine. After the farm operation closed, he returned to carpentry, earning a reputation for meticulous craftsmanship and exceptional attention to detail in every project he undertook.

Outside of his work and family time, Maarten was an active member of Knox Presbyterian Church where he served as an Elder for over 30 years.  His Christian values were reflected in his quiet and humble demeanor and in the way he lived his life.

In 2004, Maarten and Doreen built their dream home on the family acreage on Grey Road 12. Maarten was happiest when he was outdoors working on the land. Together, he and Doreen had a successful garlic business. He spent countless hours working in their impressive vegetable gardens, planting trees, and maintaining their beautiful flower beds. He always had multiple projects on the go in his shop.

In the winter months, Maarten and Doreen loved snowshoeing through the bush on their property. Maarten could always be found carrying a pair of loppers, clearing the path as they went, much the way he did for Doreen and their girls throughout his life.

A service celebrating Maarten’s life will be conducted at Knox Presbyterian Church in Meaford on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 11 o’clock with visiting the hour prior to service. A private service of committal and inurnment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery.

As your expression of sympathy, donations to the Care Partners Palliative Care Team or Knox Presbyterian Church (Cheques Only Please) would be appreciated and may be made through the Ferguson Funeral Home, 48 Boucher St. E., Meaford, ON   N4L 1B9 to whom arrangements have been entrusted.

• First Name : Maarten
• Last Name : Keyzer
• Funeral Home : Ferguson Funeral Home, Meaford
• URL : https://fergusonfuneralhomes.ca/obituary/maarten-gary-keyzer/

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