Ladner lost a “big, lovable gentle-giant of a guy” with the passing of John Bolhuis earlier this month.
Bolhuis, 65, died from a heart attack at his Ladner home in his sleep, said longtime friend Les Blaney.
“He was just a great guy,” said Blaney, who was also Bolhuis’ legal guardian.
Nicknamed Big John, Bolhuis suffered from a brain injury all his life and never developed mentally and socially much past the age of a 10- or 12-year-old, said Blaney.
He was “exceptionally well-known” in the community, said Blaney, noting Bolhuis was also a big sports fan and car enthusiast.
“He could tell you the make and model of just about any vehicle going down the street. It was amazing. How he did it, I don’t know,” he said, adding Bolhuis possessed a virtually photographic memory.
“One of the best things I could say about John is that he never had a bad thought about anybody. Everything was on the bright side,” said Blaney, a local retired realtor.
Ladner Pioneer May Days and the Quilt Walk and Car Show were very special events for Bolhuis, he said.
“Those were the highlights of his year.”
Blaney’s brother Jim was Bolhuis’ full-time caretaker for the last two-and-a-half years.
Bolhuis was “kind, caring and considerate,” he said, adding that “as soon as he met you and knew your name, he was your friend.”
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Ladner Christian Reformed Church, 4594-54A St.
In lieu of flowers, those attending are asked to consider making a donation to a disability association or to the church’s Friendship Coffee House, which Bolhuis was a part of for many years.
