Keyzer, Maarten Gary
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 3rd 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 Grey Bruce Hospice (Chapman House) 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. www.fergusonfuneralhomes.ca
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Donations: Grey Bruce Hospice (Chapman House) or Knox Presbyterian Church (Cheques Only Please)Donate securely through Ferguson Funeral Home
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Thoughts are with you Doreen, Julie, Heidi, Angela and family. Definitely a sad time for you all
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Our thoughts are with you Doreen, Julie, Heidi, Angela and families. Definitely a sad time for you all.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Ed & i are so sad that Martin has passed away but everyone & everything has a time … you will be together again like we will all be with our loved ones in the end..
Stay strong because he would not want your family to sad ,but remembering all the joy u shared
thinking of all of you . And sending Love
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Deepest sympathy go out to Doreen, Julie, Heidi, Angela and all the family
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Our condolences to Marrten’s family. I worked some jobs with him a bit. He was a gentleman. Rest in peace Maarten. The Lord is getting a good one. Fly with the angels.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Doreen Julie Heidi Angela and families
Thinking of all of you at this difficult time
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Dear Doreen and your family
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. May God give you His peace and comfort
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
My thoughts are with Doreen, Julie and all family members adjusting to this loss.
I have had the privilege of reconnecting with Maarten and Doreen this last five years through their organic garlic business after having worked with both Doreen and Julie in nursing starting in the early ‘80’s.
Getting to know Maarten was an absolute joy and privilege.
My experience of him is a loving, kind, gentle, patient and extremely helpful man. His knowledge in farming and skill in carpentry was displayed in the production he shared generously with others. A very humble man that displayed a sense of shyness when praise was given.
His physical presence will be missed, however never forgotten.
Sincerely,
Darlene Neelands Ormsby
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Thinking of you all at this difficult time. What a wonderful write up to a beautiful life. The Keyzer’s certainly have a special place in my heart- so many great memories- and wonderful to catch up occasionally when we would see each other. Wish I could be there with you on the 11th but we will be away. Will be there in heart. Much love to you all.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Dear Doreen and daughters Julie, Heidi, and Angela.
Betty Boo and Randy are so deeply moved by reading Maarten’s obituary above and the devoted life he had with Doreen and his family throughout the many years of their marriage. Our ongoing thoughts, prayers, and hugs for all the Keyzer families at this sad time. Special condolences to Doreen and all her nursing Boo girl friends at this most difficult time. With the coming of Spring, Betty & I shall both fondly continue to tend to Maarten’s ongoing gift of many garlic bulbs several years ago when we all gathered together at the Keyzer farm in Meaford.
Many blessings.
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
Doreen and family
It has been many years since I have seen you folks. I have wonderful memories during the teen years when Maarten & you were going together. Maarten was a gentle man and you both were so in tune with each other. My deepest sympathy on his passing. His presence will always be with you. Sharanne (McMurchy) MacDonald
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
I always enjoyed talking with Maarten. He was a kind and thoughtful person. Doreen and family, our prayers and sympathies go out to you. It is always a sad day when we have to say goodbye for now, but we know a better day is coming. Until then may God comfort you.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Our condolences to Doreen and all the families. Hold on tight to all the good memories that you have had over the years. Ed & Carol Farrar.
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Doreen, Ria, Garry, Tina, and to all of your families ~
We are very sorry to hear about Maarten
He was always so kind and a gentle man.
Our sincere condolences.
Deb and Jim Chapman
Thursday, April 2, 2026
Doreen, Julie, Heidi, Angie. Our sincere condolences to you and families. Maarten was always a kind soft-spoken man. You will have such great memories to hold onto. So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Ellie and Merv
Thursday, April 2, 2026
My condolences Doreen and family on your loss. Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
So sorry to hear of Martin’s passing.
Condolences to you Doreen and all your family, you will have many good memories to help you through this difficult time.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
So sorry to see that Maarten has passed away. My condolences to you Doreen and family.
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Dear Doreen and family,
We are thinking of you at this difficult time. Hugs.
Maureen, Sarah and Meagan
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Deepest sympathy to the family. Maarten lived next door to us in Quiet Valley. Fond memories of those days and how kind and helpful they were to us all during my father’s illness.
Garry and. Jean (Charters) Flynn
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Thinking of you guys. God Bless you during this most difficult time. Penny and Lonnie
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
My deepest sympathy to the family. Maarten will be truly missed.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Our sincere sympathy and prayers for Doreen and the family. We were next door neighbours of Doreen’s for many years. Then the Keyzer family moved into the neighborhood on the Quiet Valley Road just behind our farm. Because of our common Dutch heritage we made friends with the Keyzer family and visited back and forth many times.
We were delighted when Maarten got his nerve up to take Doreens hand while skating with neighbourhood kids at the Rocklyn arena and then dated Doreen and proposed.
Maarten and Doreen have remained dear friends of ours over the years. Maarten is in a better place, free of sickness but dearly missed. Many precious memories remain. May those memories comfort Doreen, Julie, Heidi and Angie and all those who mourn this loss. May God surround you with His love and sustain you as you walk through this Valley.
Thursday, April 9, 2026
So sorry for this loss Aunt Doreen. Uncle Maarten was an amazing person. We loved him deeply
Thursday, April 9, 2026
Our deepest sympathy to you Doreen and your family. I had the privilege of being one of your best friends in high school ( and beyond) and fondly remember you and Maarten at the beginning of your love story. How you took his hand skating in Rocklyn and never let go. How you confessed to me studying for our grade twelve exams, that you stared down at your history book and could only see Maarten’s face. That’s certainly love in my books! May your love and wonderful memories of such a kind and dear man continue until you two meet again. Love and prayers
Thursday, April 9, 2026
I will always remember Maarten as a kind caring soul. He will be missed.
Thinking of the family at this difficult time. So sorry for your loss.
Monday, April 13, 2026
Our sincere condolences Doreen and family. Rick and I enjoyed our chat with you and Maarten a few weeks ago, and we were both saddened to hear of Maarten’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you move forward. God Bless.
Sunday, April 26, 2026
I was a very dear friend of both Doreen
And Maarten. My husband Don and I
We’re at their wedding as well.
We had many good times especially at
The beach with our kids and theirs.
Maarten was very kind and a sweet soul
To know this couple was to be blessed.
May love ❤️ and memories sustain this
Family and be ever in their hearts.
Thursday, April 30, 2026
So sorry to hear of the loss of Maarten.He was always a cheerful presence on your visits to Thornbury Antique Market..
Christine. Mould