Founder of Hornby-based transportation company, Opzeeland Transport, Cor van Opzeeland (87) passed away suddenly at Christchurch Hospital on February 5.
A Dutch immigrant, Opzeeland founded Hornby Coal and Carrying in 1956 with his wife, the late Helen Opzeeland, and the company name changed to Opzeeland Transport when the business focussed upon general cartage a few years later.
In the 1970’s the business ran with five trucks, and administration was run by Helen from the kitchen bench. In 1979 Opzeeland Transport moved to a purpose-built yard on the outskirts of Hornby.
The company worked through new challenges posed by deregulation of the transport industry and moved towards transporting over longer distances and this included inter-island freight to match customer demand.
Distribution and storage services were added to Opzeeland’s offering, and the company assisted customers who needed stock moved nationwide. The fleet extended to 19 trucks in 1994, including Scanias and Nissans. Staff numbers continued to increase and grew to 40 in 2000.
In 2006 Opzeeland Transport celebrated 50 years of service.
Opzeeland was the father and father-in-law of Marianne and Warwick, John and Cheryl, Ingrid, Eddy and Megan, and grandfather to Emma, Adam and Ben.
The funeral service to celebrate the life of Cor Opzeeland will be held at Our Lady of Victories Church, 106 Main South Road, Upper Riccarton, on Wednesday, February 12, at 11.00 a.m. A private cremation will follow.
