farewell
Ton Jaspers
a Wayfarer for all seasons
...
In Memoriam: Ton Jaspers W10445
On December 9th, 2017, Netherlands Wayfarer, Ton Jaspers, passed away. I myself will miss Ton immensely, not just his enthusiasm and sense of humour but also his vast store of knowledge and experience that he unstintingly shared with other sailors by way of Uncle Al and the Wayfarer Institute of Technology (WIT). Typically, I would refer a question about one of the many practical matters in which my knowledge is lacking, to Ton. Within a few hours a useful, comprehensive, well illustrated response of several pages' length would appear in my In-Box. In fact, the moment you got Ton's e-mail address - wayfarer@xs4all - you knew he had his priorities in the right place.

Thank you so much, Ton, for all the things you did for us, and for the many wonderful memories you have left with us.

Love, Uncle Al (W3854) ..
Ton in pictures
page 1: 2002 DM 
page 2: Poul's pics from 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2007
page 3a: 2008 IR in Maine 1
page 3b: 2008 IR in Maine 2
page 3c: 2008 IR in Maine 3
page 4: 2011 IR in Heeg

plus

a memorable, lighthearted moment with Ton here
Ton remembered by other fellow-Wayfarers:
From: Margaret McKelvey
Sent: Thursday, February 8, 2018 1:20 PM
Subject: Passing of Ton Jaspers  "Swiebertje"

Hello north american wayfarers -- i just learned from ton jaspers' wife connie (stenniss) that ton had become ill in october and passed away in december.  Ton and connie attended at least one of our rallies on this side of the atlantic and some of you will have known them from some of the european rallies. Others may have already known about ton's passing (tom graefe found the item below on the uk wayfarer site), but i thought i would put out the news for those who might not have heard. -- margie mckelvey

From: Monica Schaefer [mailto:monica@steerclear.ie]
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2017 6:17 PM
Subject: Ton Jaspers

Good evening, all.

It is with great shock and sadness that I learned today of the very premature passing of one of Wayfarer's & NEDWA's great stalwarts: Ton Jaspers. Ton passed away on December 9th after a very short illness.

Ton will be sadly missed by his long-time best friend and loving wife Conny (Steennis) and their daughter Anne Lotte and son, Wouter, and so many other family and friends.  I believe he will forever be remembered by many in the wider Wayfarer family as a very passionate man, a technically astute man and a big bear of a man who loved sailing and Wayfaring in particular,  Ton was particularly generous in spirit and practicality,  lending not just his knowledge and expertise to others but also welcoming visitors and lending his lovely boat W10445 Swiebertje to many who travelled to the Netherlands from abroad to participate in international events held there.

Ton Jaspers, our fellow Wayfarer sailor and friend, may you rest in peace.

With much respect and kind regard,

Monica Schaefer
W11152 Lakka

From: Kit Wallace
Sent: Friday, December 15, 2017 6:25 PM

What a great guy and so knowledgeable about dinghy sailing. I learned a lot from his wisdom. 

Very sad news,

Kit

From: Jeremy Norman
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2017 5:15 AM

So sorry to hear of Ton’s passing. Only met him briefly to speak to at the 2016 Netherlands International rally. Lovely guy.. I know he will be sorely missed. 

Jeremy

 

From: James Heffernan [mailto:jheffernan@nc.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2017 11:18 AM

Al, Apparently the lung cancer was fast and relentless. May he rest in peace.  Jim

 

From: Mrrmr [mailto:mrrmr@btinternet.com]
Sent: Saturday, December 16, 2017 6:24 AM

Hi Jim,

In case you haven't heard, Ton passed away on the 9th Dec. I sent the following e-mail to Connie earlier today:

Hi, Conny

I was so deeply saddened to receive your card with the news about Ton, and offer you my very sincere condolences at his passing. He played such a significant role in the development of Wayfaring in Holland, and also with you at the International events, that it's for sure he will be irreplaceable.

I am so sorry that it has happened at this such poignant time of year and trust you will take heart that he will never be forgotten within the Wayfarer fraternity.

My very best wishes to you, Ralph

 

and have already received the following reply from Connie:

Thank you Ralph,

It went so fast I hardly realise what has happened. I feel the sympathy of all our wayfarer friends deeply and that helps.

Hope to see you again,

Conny

 

It is good to know that the support that their many Wayfarer friends are offering is of great assistance.

Best wishes, Ralph

 
 


From: KEN-Krist. H. Jensen
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 1:04 AM

Sad factual message, Al. makes my heart heavy and cry, but the only certainty we got is our death, and Ton shall always W-sail along with us at any time and wherever we are heading, and more certain than the "Flying Dutchman"!

 

In the Int. W-rally 2012 [the VERY best such !] in Blekinge, Sweden from Järnavig - sailing the skerries and the Baltic - we, crew of W1348 in *her*,  had daily sailings with Ton (2nd from right above), familiy and friends.

Klaus W10332 Hindsø made some marvellous pictures there: click on Blekinge, bottom left.

Love from us here. Crew W1348"Maitken"

 

From: Poul@Ammentorp.dk [mailto:poul@ammentorp.dk]
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 3:22 PM

Dear Al,

I have put the following memoriam on our website:  http://www.wayfarer.dk/n/mindeord-om-ton-jaspers

Warmeste Wayfarerhilsner

Poul

PS: I will go through my pictures and send what I have on Ton to you.
al's note: Poul's pics to be included in the Ton Jaspers picture memorial