Ben Willemsen died, with equanimity and acceptance, on Friday, October 21, 2011 in the palliative care unit of the VG Hospital in Halifax following a three-year long battle with cancer. He was 75 years of age. He is survived by his wife, Penny Margolis, Halifax; his daughters, Tricia Willemsen (Steven Henry and Mylo), Warminster, Ontario, and Pamela Grover (Billy MacDonald), Toronto; his grandchildren, Alex, Lynsie and Karyn Grover, and Paul Hanson, Toronto; his sisters, Tonnie (Louis Hut), Huizen, Netherlands, Annie Willemsen, Uithoorn, Lily Heijnen (Arnold van den Brink), Huizen; and his brother Rob (Wanda Fielmich and Elmar), Huizen. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Corrie.
Ben was a highly imaginative yet logical and down-to-earth person who trained in ship engineering in Holland and worked for many years in the engineering field after immigrating to Canada in 1958. At the age of 40, he began walking a spiritual path and eventually became a teacher of that path, authoring three books on the subject of human energy.
Ben was a simple man. He was spontaneous, fun-loving and naturally optimistic. He had a great sense of style. He was honest and outspoken, but never judgmental. Those who were fortunate enough to be counted among his friends, a group that included tradesmen, mechanics, artists, educators and doctors, benefited from his wisdom, insight, compassion and humour.
Ben had a great presence and touched many people around the world who sought out his guidance and counsel. He felt deeply valued when he was invited to join the clinical team in Tijuana where he was treated for cancer. He approached the end of his life nurtured by the outpouring of love from his friends, his family, and his students. As he said during his final days: "I am a happy man."
The family is grateful to all those who came to be with Ben during his last few months at home and the many nurses and doctors for their caring support.
