The diamond wedding anniversary was celebrated at Toversluis in Sluis. Mayor Cathy Coudyser and alderman Piet De Groote congratulated the couple on behalf of the municipal council and the Royal Palace. They presented them with a gift box from Oxfam Wereldwinkel and a medallion from King Filip and Queen Mathilde.
The couple, who married on October 28, 1961, has 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
Gerard and Miriam met at café Barcelona in Heist. Gerard, who was a fisherman and later a fish sorter in Zeebrugge after his sea career, visited there after his voyages. Miriam was a homemaker, managing the household and raising the children.
Both were active in the community. Gerard served as chairman of Okra for 20 years, and Miriam was on the board of Femma for 25 years. They organized various activities, and Miriam was known as the 'florist' for the associations.
