It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Arie Jan Van Wingerden, age 89, of Pompton Plains, NJ.

Arie passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 while receiving the loving care of his family.

Arie was born in Ridderkirk, Netherlands and was one of eleven children to Leendert and Aplonia Van Wingerden.  He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1948 by boat and were at sea for over two weeks. Arie would later tell stories of how he and his siblings would peel potatoes for the ship kitchen.  Upon arriving in the United States, the family settled in Wayne, NJ. At first Arie, his siblings and parents grew vegetables on a rented farm in Wayne Township and sold them at a roadside stand.  Arie also drove a coal truck for Bailey and Winters. After approximately ten years, in 1958, Arie started his own business located in Pequannock called Orie Van Wingerden Greenhouse Inc.  Arie owned and operated his business for nearly sixty-five years.  He never actually retired, but for many years Arie treasured working alongside his son Alan in the family business.

Arie was introduced to the love of his life, Kathleen Vriezema by a mutual friend. On November 4, 1955 the two exchanged wedding vows and became husband and wife.  Arie and Kathleen settled in Wayne after getting married.  As their family grew, they moved to Pompton Plains, NJ.  They remained in Pompton Plains for the next sixty-one years where they raised their five sons, John, Alan, Ronald, Paul, and Glenn.

Arie had an outstanding work ethic that was instilled in him by his parents.  This was something that he also passed down to his children and grandchildren.  Aside from being dedicated to his career, Arie took great pleasure in translating church sermons from Dutch to English and sharing them with family, friends, and fellow church members.  He was often seen riding his bike around the greenhouse, down the lane by himself to get the mail, visit his sisters and brothers or taking his grandchildren for a ride.

It was clear that Arie’s greatest passion in life was his family.  Nothing meant more to Arie than providing for and spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Arie and Kathleen cherished sixty-one years of marriage until Kathleen’s passing in 2019.   Arie was not only devoted to his family but also to his Christian Faith.  He and his family were devout members for many years of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church in Franklin Lakes, NJ.

Arie was always friendly and outgoing. His wonderful sense of humor and his quick wit made him a pleasure to be with.  Arie was also known to donate platelets. One year in the height of busy season he was asked to donate to a very sick young man. The next morning Arie left his busy business to help someone in need.  He will be forever remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He was truly a special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by his family and friends.

Arie is survived by his five sons; John Van Wingerden and his wife Janey of Sunnyside, WA, Alan Van Wingerden and his wife Anita of Pompton Plains, NJ, Ron Van Wingerden and his wife Joyce of Priest River, ID, Paul Van Wingerden and his wife Stacey of Priest River, ID, and Glenn Van Wingerden and his wife Nicole of Priest River, ID, two sisters; Jenny Van Vugt of Pompton Plains, NJ, and Christina De Groot of Pompton Plains, NJ, four brothers; Kees Van Wingerden and his wife Rita of Augusta, NJ, Willem Van Wingerden and his wife Joanne of Pompton Plains, NJ, Jan Van Wingerden and his wife Barbara of Lynden, WA, and Abraham Van Wingerden and his wife Ruth of Pompton Plains, NJ, twenty three grandchildren; Michael, Matthew, Rachel, Heather, Kristen, Amanda, Arielle, Zachary, Alanna, Jack, Caitlyn, Andrew, Dylan, Lauryn, Arie, Brian, Edward, Kathleen, Josh, Amanda, Casandra, Logan, and Emma.

Twenty-seven great-grandchildren; Aedyn, Tate, Landon, Matilda, Vaughn, Teague, Piper, Waylon, Vera, Grant, Gisele, Brielle, Levi, Julia, Marie, Cora, Luke, Magnolia, Sabrina, Brooke, Hannah, Reagan, Addisson, Harper, Hadley, Reid and Aspen.