Obituary of Adrian Joseph Piek
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Adrian Joseph Piek on June 6, 2025 at the Aberdeen Hospital Palliative Care Unit.
Adrian was born in Beesd, Holland to Hendrikus and Wilhelmina Piek on May 7, 1932. He moved to Antigonish in 1952 at the age of 19 and worked for the Nunnery on their farm. He met his future wife, Josephine, at a restaurant there.
Adrian and Josie married in August of 1956 and they bought a house with a corner store. He also spent time working in Montreal and Frobisher Bay. He then had an extensive career in real estate, including mortgages, selling homes, and eventually starting his own business of real estate appraisals.
He had many hobbies, including fixing up cars, camping, having coffee with friends, reading in church, acting as church treasurer, swimming and walking daily and square dancing. He enjoyed Sunday drives with his bride and also taking his grandchildren to MacDonalds for ice cream. He was proud to own the first Volkswagen Beetle in Pictou County. He owned and operated two dairy bars. He was also a longtime member of the Holy Name Church, the Westville Rotary Club (42 years) and the YMCA. He was a Paul Harris fellow; the highest accolade in Rotary Club International. He was known to say that he was “Dutch by birth and Canadian by choice.”
Adrian was predeceased by his wife Josie in January 2025 and four brothers in The Netherlands. He is survived by five children; Henry Piek, Adrian Piek Jr, Joanne (Mark) DuPlessis, John (Krista) Piek, and Joselyn Piek. He had nine grandchildren; Samantha (Jeff), Beckie, Matt, Ben (Emma), Jeff, Olivia, Morgan (Alex), Jordan, and Grayson, and three great grandchildren; Shila, Jeffrey and Adrian.
Funeral services will be held at the Holy Name Church in Westville with Fr. Peter MacDonald officiating, on Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 2pm. Burial will follow at the Holy Name Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Eagles Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 11 from 6 to 8 PM.
Special thanks to the nurses and doctors of the fourth floor and Palliative Care unit of the Aberdeen Hospital who helped to make his final moments peaceful and comfortable. Thanks also to the VON nurses and home care workers.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association.
