Passed away, peacefully after a courageous struggle with illness, at Sensenbrenner General Hospital in Kapuskasing, Ontario, on Friday, October 23rd, 2020, Fredericus ‘Frits’ Petrus Maria Marechal, formerly of Rockland and Tillsonburg, at the age of 81. Born in Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands to the late Petrus and Catharina Marechal. Frits was a renowned Corporate Executive Chef, working for 24 years with Commonwealth Hospitality, from which he retired in 2008. Frits was a founding member of Les Toques Blanche Ottawa, an association of executive chefs and chef instructors, who participate in charity events and provide learning opportunities for local chefs-in-training. He was the Team Captain of the Canadian Culinary Team who competed in Germany and other countries to come home to Canada with gold, silver and bronze medallions. Frits also served in the Royal Dutch Marines for 17 years, during which time he spent 6 months as personal chef to Queen Beatrice. A member of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, Tillsonburg, Frits was a proud member of both the Knights of Columbus 3rd Degree Council #3212 and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree Saint Francisco Marto of Fatima Assembly #3854. Predeceased by his first wife of 37 years, Ingrid (Knobloch) Marechal (August 7, 2008). Frits will be dearly missed by Lynn Walker, his wife of 10 years, who was at Frits' side at his passing. Frits is lovingly remembered by his daughter Nicole Marechal, of Ingersoll and his special granddaughter Eko Marechal-Gebert. Frits will be fondly remembered by Lynn's family: Sacha, Dave and Lydia Le Bel. Survived by five siblings: Ans (Hank Brouwer), of London; Piet (Ineke), of Overassel, Holland; Bert, of Switzerland; Arnold, of Holland and Toos (Harry Koks), of Den-Bosch, Brabant, Holland. Also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. Predeceased by his son-in-law Hector Gebert (2008) and by two sisters Riet Vrijhoeven (2011) and Jet Ten Hove (2007).

In keeping with Frits’ expressed wishes, cremation has taken place. Friends and relatives are invited to offer support and caring by posting photos, notes of tribute, favourite memories and hugs from home on Frits’ tribute page at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com. A Knights of Columbus Memorial Service will take place to honour Frits’ Life and Legacy on Thursday, October 29th, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes- Burial and Cremation Services Inc. Chapel, 262 Broadway Street, Tillsonburg. Please RSVP via Frits’ tribute page or by calling (519-842-4238) between 9am and 4pm. All attendees must bring and wear a face covering. Please do not attend if you are ill, have been around someone that is ill, or have recently travelled outside of Canada. Spring inurnment will take place in the Holy Cross R.C. Cemetery, in Rockland, Ontario. Memorial donations in memory of Frits to “St. Mary’s R.C. Church – Building Fund” can be made at www.verhoevefuneralhomes.com or by cheque through the Maurice J. Verhoeve Funeral Homes, Tillsonburg, entrusted with all arrangements, with confidence.