Cor Pool had a great sense of humor and was known for being a kind and compassionate person. He loved the work of ministry, especially telling of the love of Jesus to those who did not know him. He loved diversity and the wider church and sought church unity. He frequently reminded people, including the delegates to Synod 2017 where he served as president, to keep their eyes on Jesus. Cor died Jan. 22 after experiencing a heart attack while on a cruise with his siblings. He was 71. “I think we want to remember him as enjoying his last day on earth with his sisters and brothers-in-law that were like brothers to him,” said Cor’s eldest daughter. “They spent the day on a beautiful beach. … We are thankful they were together.”
The youngest son of a family of 11 children, Cor was born in the Netherlands and immigrated to Alberta, Canada, when he was an infant. He later graduated from Calvin Seminary, was ordained in 1978, then pastored Crosspoint Community Church, Tillsonburg, Ont.; Green Meadow Community Christian Reformed Church, Helena, Mont.; Fresno (Calif.) CRC; Sonlight CRC, Regina, Sask; and Hope Community CRC, Riverside, Calif., where he served for 17 years before retiring in 2016.
Cor continued to serve in various ways until his death. He was an interim pastor at Visalia (Calif.) CRC, San Jose (Calif.) CRC, Phoenix (Ariz.) CRC, and Crossroads CRC in San Marcos, Calif. He continued to participate in the CRCNA synod and enjoyed traveling and visiting his children, grandchildren, and extended family in the U.S. and Canada. He was also able to visit the Netherlands to explore his birthplace.
Cor was predeceased in 2011 by Kathleen, his wife of almost 38 years. He is survived by the couple’s four children and their spouses and 10 grandchildren.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
