-by Francene Gillis
The initial reports of the tragic helicopter accident shocked and hit like a ton of bricks; shattering lives and leaving heads shaking, tears falling, grief and shock, and a horrid sense that life for those closely impacted would never be the same. But, what more can a person ask than to die doing something he loves? To honour Vincent van Zutphen, and provide solace, I offer the following tribute.
With his tragic passing on March 28th, 2026, his family, our community, county, island, and province suffered a profound loss. He was the eldest child of Ted and Hermina van Zutphen. Growing up on the farm in South West Mabou, near Port Hood, he had a knack for building and fixing things from a precocious age, much like his Opa.
I interviewed Vincent’s Opa, John (senior) van Zutphen back in 1993, and I still feel the tears upon realizing what a remarkable man he was. He came to Canada in 1951 with his wife Elizabeth, hoping to fulfil an ambition of raising a family and creating work for them. Their roots grew deep on the farm; they held the family upright, and looked after all 11 children, plus a niece who came over with them.
In 1964, Ted and John took over the family dairy farm from their father and started a contracting business. Their one piece of equipment was a TD9 International dozer, purchased for roughly $9,000. With that, they started Zutphen Brothers.
After earning his civil engineering degree in 1989, Vincent joined his father, Ted, and uncle, John, in the Zutphen Brothers business. A brilliant engineer, he taught others his technical expertise. In 2010, the business transitioned to the second generation with John’s son Harvey, and Ted’s sons, Vincent and Leonard, taking over as president and partners, playing key roles in shaping the company’s future.
Their work legacy reveals several achievements and accomplishments. They spearheaded major infrastructure projects across the province and the Maritimes, working on wind turbines, the Maritime Link project, and the Sydney Tar Ponds.
A deep thinker, Vincent collected concepts from the natural world and the people around him, considered the “what if,” or “this could be” scenarios, prudent to the engineering and building world. He came up with creative, custom solutions – even sketching custom designs and efficient engineering solutions on napkins when an idea jumped into his head.
Vincent embraced change and enjoyed implementing progressive, long-term strategies. His girls and relatives should be proud of the love he had for hard work, completing a project or task, digging in, discovering possibilities, and leading others into success.
Regarding the tragic loss, I first want to acknowledge Vincent’s work family. He was their respected leader and team player. Construction Safety Nova Scotia says it best. “A respected leader in Cape Breton’s construction community, through his leadership of the long-standing family business, he helped build a legacy of quality work and strong community connections that has been part of Nova Scotia’s construction industry for generations. Vincent’s contributions to the industry and his community will be long remembered.”
Second, as a community member, Vincent was kind and generous. He was the owner of NSORRA’s Craigmore Ride Park. Past president, Josh Kelly writes, “Vincent was more than a landowner; he was a valued supporter of the riding community and a friend to many within the company. Craigmore Ride Park has been a special place for countless members, made possible through the generosity and passion of Vincent and the Van Zutphen family. (Nova Scotia Off Road Riders Association).
Who can forget their generosity far and wide? In 2023, they donated $1 million to the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital (ICMH) – dedicated to the past and present employees of Zutphen Contractors. Enough said about their generosity, as their compassion weaves through the daily life of Inverness County, through quiet support that prioritizes community needs over public recognition.
General comments from various people show how much they valued Vincent. He filled a room with his charismatic personality and loved his children and grandchildren fiercely. A busy man, he made time for you, shared his knowledge, and had great one-liner comebacks. His zest for life was undeniable.
Some might say he was a super-smart guy with just the right amount of sass. Even with his love of enjoying life, he never forgot about others, which we can witness in his community-mindedness, and the various Cape Breton and Halifax charities that Zutphen Contractors supported. He advocated for our island as a strong, committed Cape Bretoner, and he was a proud pilot. In death, we also see his life.
Third to family: Flying a helicopter is an apt analogy for Vincent – his free spirit, love for flying, exploring and discovering new things, seeing from a fresh vantage point, searching for possibilities high in the sky, while looking ahead or down below. He would not hover in one place but move to where dreamers live.
To fly among the clouds, to experience the world from a wondrous vantage point, and to see what it inspires is a dream of many. Vincent is now in the majestic designs of an ever-changing sky.
It is a gift to have visionaries among us. He was too young to die, but some live more in days than others live in weeks, months, or years. Vincent was such a person.
He did small things in big ways, fiercely and unapologetically as himself. He did not worry about what anyone else thought of him. That in itself is a grace – to reach that level of freedom, to live as one wants, and to fulfil childhood dreams.
I did not know Vincent, but I taught his two oldest daughters, Danielle and Maria, and their spouses. I know their phenomenal mom, Patricia, Vincent’s notable brothers and sisters, and his salt-of-the earth mom and dad. In a rural community, we connect.
Several family members come to mind. I know the calibre of people within the generations, and I am constantly impressed by the bounty they offer as individuals, family, and community members, and in their chosen professions.
As a teacher, through their many student portfolios, I discovered what was important to the van Zutphen families: a desire for excellence, hard work, exceeding expectations, family, and celebrating life. I admire and respect the van Zutphen family for what they give back.
We know them for charity, leadership, initiatives, and for building a business into a successful enterprise. From a one-machine business, the Zutphen brothers, families, and workers have grown into one of the largest, and most respected, heavy civil and marine construction companies in Atlantic Canada.
When I close my eyes, I see Opa van Zutphen, his 93-year-old face beaming and smiling, feeling free as a bird pedalling his bicycle down Van Zutphen Hill. He had ridden from Harbourview to Southwest Mabou, a distance of 10 miles. Thirty-three years ago, I still feel the impact.
Opa hated idleness, much like his sons and grandson. Some people have that wow factor; Vincent, by several accounts, was one of them.
They say branches nourished by strong roots, bring forth limbs, vibrant buds, leaves, blossoms, and fruit with the same abundance, spirit, and growth, and new sprigs grow into robust trees. This is a revealing, freeing, comforting truth.
As someone who has lost loved ones, I believe the spirit does not die with the body. It lives on in family and in self – in the desire to keep the person alive. It is in the whispering leaves, sunrises and sunsets, road trips and laughing children. I feel my lost loved ones in memories, photos, stories, and sunsets. I laugh, cry, and connect.
I write now for Vincent’s family and his four lovely, capable girls: Danielle, Maria, Hanna, and Ava. Anyone who knows them cannot help but smile as good begets good, and families of compassion spring such for generations to come.
Sometimes you meet remarkable individuals who are larger than life, who think outside the box and offer refreshing insights. Grab on tight, learn what you can as wisdom skirts the periphery. Some refer to your dad as a legend. These loving accolades are treasures; place them in your hearts to touch when you need comfort.
You meant the world to him, and he was your rock. Through prayer you will feel him, for the spirit, love, and intent of our beloved deceased, never leave us. He gave you what you needed in life; he will do the same in death. Your father loved you in bits and pieces, and with his entire being forever and a day, forever and always.
There is a saying that what we most admire in others, we possess ourselves. Isn’t that comforting when you think of your dad? He had a philanthropic spirit – seeking to promote the welfare of others. And doesn’t that just have you bursting in pride?
The body may be gone, but his spirit remains in the heart and mind; comforting thoughts a millisecond away. We carry our loved ones forward. That is the most loving gift they leave us; a most honourable gift – the opportunity to not let their spirit die.
When we share, say, or do things that reflect their essence, we absolutely feel their presence – in an overwhelming, loving warmth that fills us; a sense that we are not alone; the tingle and/or goosebumps across the back of the neck, or down our arms; in free-flowing, healing tears; a dream where they talk to us, a flickering candle, a true Cape Breton bear hug, weird coincidence, flashing reminder, or intuitive thought.
Allow him to live on by fulfilling his dreams and adventures. Fly in a helicopter, travel to other countries, honour the causes he believed in. Share his knowledge, expertise, and stories with family and friends, and make sure his legacy lives on.
We take the best of the people we love, and try to be like them because we admire their qualities; that is how we share their spirit and bring it forward. In ends are beginnings and in beginnings are ends; with the death of a loved one, the meaning behind that really hits home.
As a tribute to Vincent, may we love and live life fully, not live by regrets; take time to play with our children, spend time with our parents; offer giant bear hugs to those we love, and a hardy, happy handshake to those we meet; get excited about what we love most; exude our energy into the universe; smile rather than frown; let our voices be expectant and enthusiastic for the opportunities life presents; and live as ourselves.
Like the roots that grew from Opa, Ted, and Hermina, new trees sprout and grow, (one due in May), branches bend with the storms of life, spread, and forever reach for the awe-struck, inspiring, blue sky.
Vincent’s face will glow if or when Zutphen Construction fulfils his recent passion of building the Jajiktek Seawall Trail into a world-class hiking experience in Cape Breton. Can’t you just picture his wiry hair in the sky, his beaming smile, eyes crinkling as if he lassoed the sun, or just announced he got his pilot’s license?
To the family and those who loved Vincent, may your hearts heal, your feet step high, your lips shout a love for living; your eyes sparkle with excitement and passion; your smiles brighten the world, and your life journey be as substantial as his.
I pray the family finds comfort in the outpouring of love. My heartfelt condolences and prayers. May God bless you and hold you in the vast palm of his hand. And to Vincent, a most novel individual – Blue Skies and Tailwinds; may you go west and touch the face of God.