Rombouts

(submitted by the Rombouts family)

Peter T. (1910–1977) Rombouts and Maria Kustermans (1917–2005) were both born in the Netherlands. After their marriage in 1939 they moved to Belgium where they rented a farm. Wanting more opportunities for their growing family they immigrated to Canada, where they had relatives near Watford.

In February, 1952 they traveled with their nine children by ship to London, England and then from Liverpool to Pier 21, Halifax on the Empress of France. From there they travelled by train to London, then took taxis to Watford. They stayed for six weeks with Peter’s brother Adrian and Maria’s sister Liza Rombouts, who had settled on Brickyard Line East in Warwick Twp. Maria’s brother Adrian and Mary Kustermans were also in Warwick Twp., on the Egremont Rd.

Peter and Maria bought a farm on Lots 18 and 19, Con. 1 SER, where they established a dairy farm. The children were all put to work, milking cows, hoeing beans, beets and cucumbers, and picking them. The cows were milked by hand by all, even the youngest, Andy, who was so small he stood while milking. Four more children were born in Canada for a total of thirteen siblings.

The children first attended Kelvin Grove School but then in 1955 Peter sold a lot off his farm for the new one-room St. Christopher Roman Catholic School. This meant the Rombouts children then had more time for chores before and after school! Even during lunch hour the boys had noon chores to do on the farm.

By the time the boys were 15 they started working off the farm, mostly at Watford Poultry and Gribbens Feed Mill, or for Martin Strybosch and Sherman Williams. The girls went to work as mother’s helpers and at the slipper factory or Wire Works in Watford. This helped the family considerably as there had been times in the first years that the family couldn’t pay their grocery bill. Ivan Parker owned a grocery on Hwy 22 and he had enough faith in the family to hold a bill for many months at a time until they could pay. Paul Sullivan who sold fertilizer also was understanding and kind to the Rombouts family.

In 1973 Peter and Mary retired to a new home across the road from the farm house on Nauvoo and their son Andy and wife Cindy took over the home place.

Many of the family settled in Warwick Twp. or in neighbouring communities.

Adrian (1940–) married Jane Bastiaansen and moved to Thedford.

Peter Jr. (1942–) married Elly VanderKant in 1967. He started Rombouts Construction in 1964. Peter and Elly built a new home and shop in 1968, just south of Arkona on Arkona Rd. They raised three children: Diane (1968–) who married Jackson Lafferty and moved to the North West Territories; Mike (1969–) who married Sandra Verheyen from Warwick Twp.; and Mark (1970–) who married Ronja Skorey.

Casey (1943–) married Gertie Caris in 1970 and they bought the farm at 6836 Zion Line, where they built a layer barn, raised pigs and cash cropped. Recently they built a new house just west of the home farm, at 6782 Zion Line. They raised three children: Dorothy (1972–) who married Spencer Seiler; Jenny (1974–) who married Brian DeGroot; and Mackie (1973–) who married Jennifer Felkar in 1995. Mackie and Jennnifer live on the home farm with their children Dustyn, Morgan, and Carson.

Annie (1945–1986) married John Willemse in 1969 and farmed in West Williams. They had four children: Susan from London, Bob from Parkhill, Sandra and her husband John Veens from Warwick Twp., and Sherie from McGillivray Twp.

Jackie (1946–) married Martin Vanderkant. In 1970 they bought the farm at 7163 Quaker Rd. They raised six children: Jeffrey (1969–2003) who married Shelley Corbett; Scott (1971–) who lives in Arkona; James (1973–) who lives in Petrolia; Marty (1975–) who married Stacey Boris and lives in Forest; Peter (1977–) who farms on Quaker Rd.; and Jenny (1979–) who lives in Sarnia.

Joseph “Joe” Rombouts (1947–) was born in Belgium. His wife Catherine “Cathy” Bastiaansen (1950–) was born in Holland. In 1972 they bought the Manders farm at 7201 Confederation Line. Here they raised pigs, grew cash crops and raised their two children: Nancy (1971–) and Joseph (Joey, 1973–). Nancy married Jim DeJeu (1969–). She works as an Educational Assistant and Jim is Treasurer of Lambton Mutual in Watford. They live at 6783 Confederation Line. The DeJeus have two children: Jimmy (1993–) and Nichole (Nikky, 1994–). Joey married Rachel (Mikki Grover, 1977–) in 1997. They live on the home farm at 7201 Confederation Line, Watford, and own and operate R. & R. Honey, which they established in 1999. Joey is a licensed electrician and Rachel works as a part-time dental assistant. They have three children; Joey III (1999–), Cameron (2000–), and Lauryn (2003–). In 2008 Joe and Cathy reside 7766 Confederation Line.

Elizabeth (1949–) married Bill VanderKant (1942–1999) and they settled on the farm at 8061 Tamarack Line. They raised two sons: Billy (1979–) and Eric (1982–).

Frank (1950–) married Betsy (Nieuwenhuizen) Mezenburg in 1980. They bought a home on Zion Line and operate the Rombouts Excavating and Farm Drainage business from the same location. They have three children: Joe Mezenburg from Watford, Jessica from London, and Brad and his wife Louise (Merritt) from Watford.

Andy (1952–) married Cindy Van Hooydonk in 1973. They bought Andy’s parents’ farm at 6163 Nauvoo Rd. They have two children. Julie married Brent Horne and lives in London with son Colby. Randy married Kelly Annet and lives at 6972 Egremont Rd. in Warwick Village and they have two sons, Aaron and Nathan.

Mary (1953–) married Jim Copeland. They purchased a farm on Zion Line in 1978. They raised three daughters: Samantha, Pamela, and Victoria.

Lucy (1954–) married Bill Buttery. They reside at 579 Gold St. in Watford. They raised three daughters: Stacey, Carrie Anne, and Amanda.

Katerina (Cathy, 1955–) married Mike Van Geertruyde in 1986. Cathy is known for her cake business, Cathy’s Cakes, in Kerwood. They have four children. Dan Manning married Julie Morgan and they have three children, Dakota, Denver, and Page. Joseph Manning is in the restaurant business along with his brother Dan. Chris Van Geertruyde married Lisa Van Koll and they live in British Columbia. Chantel Van Geertruyde married Jason Rite and they live in Watford.

Margaret (1957–) married Tony Wygergangs in 1983. Their children are Kevin, Marcie, Amy, and Monique, and they all reside in the Forest area. Tony is a mechanic.

Joe and Cathy Rombouts and their grandchildren Lauryn, Joey and Cameron Rombouts, Nikky and Jimmy Dejeu. Courtesy C Rombouts.

Chapter 24 of 25 - Rombouts Family

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