Kornelis Ite “Kor” Hamming
1939 - 2026
Our loving father and husband, Kornelis Ite “Kor” Hamming of Waterloo passed away peacefully at home on 13 August 2026, at the age of 87, with his family by his side.
Kor was born on 18 February 1939 in Hein-Dodeward, The Netherlands, son of the late Pieter and Antje Hamming. He immigrated to Canada in 1951 and became a Canadian citizen on 18 September 1957. That same year he met Grace Wielink, and they were married on 21 April 1961 — sixty-five years together this past April.
Kor raised his family on a farm near Binbrook and later on a farm outside Blyth. In the late 1980s he and Grace moved to Kitchener, where he was caretaker to both his church and the Christian school and drove a school bus — a job that made him much loved by the children who rode with him. He was kind, gentle, and considerate to everyone he met. He loved people, was active in his church his whole life, and always had a quick smile and a helping hand. His love of God and his love of family were unending and enduring.
He is survived by his wife Grace (née Wielink); his children Peter, Keith (Gwen), Richard (Lisa), Anitta (John), and Steve; his grandchildren James (Cate), Laura, Jessica (Phil), Kurtis (Brandon), Mike (Claudia), Alisha (Tucker), Kyle (Alysha), the late David, Jenna (Kevin), Matt (Bella), Erick (Kara), Jordan (Pauline), and Nicolas; and his great-grandchildren Reiker, the late Maverick, Hazel, Oaklyn, Owen, Ezekiel, Asher, Rylie and Dylan. He is also survived by his sisters Tina (Gerry), Anne (Cor), and Wilma (John), and was predeceased by his sister Marenie and her husband Warner.
He will be lovingly missed by Ray, Kristin, Jonathan, Stef, Alicia and Kyle. A man with a loving and open heart, he had a gift for making people family. Many who were not related to him by blood called him Pops or Opa, and he treated every one of them as his own.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, 22 August 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Community Christian Reformed Church, 1275 Bleams Road, Kitchener. Interment to follow, immediate family only. Guests are invited to join the family for a light luncheon at the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Woodland Christian High School or Parkinson Canada would be appreciated by the family.
The family extends special thanks to the care staff at Parkwood, who went above and beyond in their attention and support, and to Daphne Klooster, whose loving support over the years meant a great deal.
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