Chris De Jong

Very sad new from Sydney, Chris De Jong has passed away 22 May 2023 at the age of 80, I received the following message from his wife Carla yesterday.
Peter Stacey
"Dear All,
We would like to inform you that last Monday evening Chris passed away. He died peacefully at home with us.
The funeral for Chris will be on Monday 29 May 2023 at Magnolia Chapel Macquarie Park Crematorium, corner Delhi Rd and Plassey, Macquarie Park at 2pm.
We are grateful that Chris is released from his suffering and we miss him dearly.
With lots of love from the family,
Carla"
Peter adds:
Many of you will remember Chris, from his time in Blue Star’s Sydney Office, some time ago he penned a little about his time with Blue Star.
"From a seagoing background and after six years with Seabridge Australia, Chris joined BSL Australia in Sydney in 1978 as the ship-planner for the newly to be established Middle East trade. Following the passing away of Capt. Ian Harris, he was promoted to Operations Manager.
When ACTA was taken over by P&O in 1991, BSL Australia became the Australian agent for the America trade. Chris became the Marine Manager and was this till P&O/Nedlloyd took us over in 1998"
Chris had always been enthusiastic to keep the memories of the Blue Star Line alive and was instrumental in organising the very first reunions in Australia. I became more aware of him in 2001 when he started a newsletter and electronic version of the “Gangway” https://www.bluestarline.org/gangway_1/ ... zines.html
He and Carla were a great supporter of the trans-Tasman reunions and it was always a delight to catch up. In 2011 he organised a very special and memorable reunion in Sydney to mark 100 Years since founding of the Blue Star Line.
Our sincere condolences to Carla and the De Jong family.
Peter Stacey
Wellington
There will be live streaming of Chris’s funeral – see following log entry
Service Time
AUSTRALIA (NSW) 14:00 Hrs Monday 29 May,
NEW ZEALAND 16:00 Hrs Monday 29 May.
TIME - UNITED KINGDOM 05:00 Monday 29 May
Peter Stacey
"Dear All,
We would like to inform you that last Monday evening Chris passed away. He died peacefully at home with us.
The funeral for Chris will be on Monday 29 May 2023 at Magnolia Chapel Macquarie Park Crematorium, corner Delhi Rd and Plassey, Macquarie Park at 2pm.
We are grateful that Chris is released from his suffering and we miss him dearly.
With lots of love from the family,
Carla"
Peter adds:
Many of you will remember Chris, from his time in Blue Star’s Sydney Office, some time ago he penned a little about his time with Blue Star.
"From a seagoing background and after six years with Seabridge Australia, Chris joined BSL Australia in Sydney in 1978 as the ship-planner for the newly to be established Middle East trade. Following the passing away of Capt. Ian Harris, he was promoted to Operations Manager.
When ACTA was taken over by P&O in 1991, BSL Australia became the Australian agent for the America trade. Chris became the Marine Manager and was this till P&O/Nedlloyd took us over in 1998"
Chris had always been enthusiastic to keep the memories of the Blue Star Line alive and was instrumental in organising the very first reunions in Australia. I became more aware of him in 2001 when he started a newsletter and electronic version of the “Gangway” https://www.bluestarline.org/gangway_1/ ... zines.html
He and Carla were a great supporter of the trans-Tasman reunions and it was always a delight to catch up. In 2011 he organised a very special and memorable reunion in Sydney to mark 100 Years since founding of the Blue Star Line.
Our sincere condolences to Carla and the De Jong family.
Peter Stacey
Wellington
There will be live streaming of Chris’s funeral – see following log entry
Service Time
AUSTRALIA (NSW) 14:00 Hrs Monday 29 May,
NEW ZEALAND 16:00 Hrs Monday 29 May.
TIME - UNITED KINGDOM 05:00 Monday 29 May