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September 24, 2023
Services
Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A 1 PM Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church, 875 Ewing Ave., Franklin Lakes. Anyone unable to attend the funeral service can listen to it on your phone by dialing the following number: 201-891-3284
Interment will be in Laurel Grove Memorial Park, 295 Totowa Road, Totowa.
Donald B. Van Grouw, age 87, of North Haledon, died Sunday, September 24, 2023, at St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, following a hemorrhagic stroke on Thursday. He passed into glory and exchanged the corruptible for the incorruptible and eternal life with his Savior Jesus Christ. (1Cor. 15:53-55)
He was born in the family home on 8th Street in Prospect Park to Bastian and Jeanette Van Grouw and raised at 258 Fairview Street in Prospect Park. He graduated from Hawthorne High School with the Class of 1955. He attended The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City before marrying Gerda Aria den Hollander, his beloved wife of 62 years. Shortly thereafter he suffered the shock of his father’s unexpected death. The scripture, 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” was a special comfort to him at this time.
Donald worked as an apprentice at International Design in Paterson, soon moving to Burlington Industries where he became Managing Director of their Jacquard Art Studios in New York City until his retirement in 1998. He also served in the New Jersey National Guard for six years at the Teaneck Armory.
Donald was a life-long member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Franklin Lakes. He served the church for forty-eight years as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and an elder. Donald was a longtime resident of Prospect Park before moving to Pequannock in 2001 and subsequently to the Holland Christian Home of North Haledon in 2022. His lifelong passion was gardening and floral design, in which he saw many spiritual parallels. Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” He tended the gardens in Hofstra Park in Prospect Park for many years, receiving public awards and recognition for his volunteer community service. Among his flower beds he highlighted Bible verses so others could see not only natural beauty, but also consider the goodness and beauty of our Creator. He is remembered by family and friends as a generous, selfless and loving man who pointed us to Christ and led by his godly and devoted example.
He is survived by his loving wife Gerda (DenHollander) Van Grouw; he was the devoted father of Bastian (Bob) Van Grouw (Amanda, Jason) and his wife Irene of Vernon, Ellen Greendyk and her husband Paul of Pompton Plains (Philip, Eric, Julia, Aria), Kathleen Van Grouw of Riverdale, Donald Van Grouw and his wife Ellen of Wayne (Matthew), and Scott Van Grouw and his wife Lenora (Lora) of Pompton Plains (Katrina, Taylor, Jeremy, Annika, Eliza); Loved brother of Barbara Tanis and her husband William of Wayne; he was the great grandfather of ten great-grandchildren and many nephews and great nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 would be greatly appreciated.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A 1 PM Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church, 875 Ewing Ave., Franklin Lakes. Anyone unable to attend the funeral service can listen to it on your phone by dialing the following number: 201-891-3284
Interment will be in Laurel Grove Memorial Park, 295 Totowa Road, Totowa.
September 24, 2023
Services
Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
A 1 PM Funeral Service will be held Thursday, September 28, 2023 at the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Church, 875 Ewing Ave., Franklin Lakes. Anyone unable to attend the funeral service can listen to it on your phone by dialing the following number: 201-891-3284
Interment will be in Laurel Grove Memorial Park, 295 Totowa Road, Totowa.
Donald B. Van Grouw, age 87, of North Haledon, died Sunday, September 24, 2023, at St Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson, following a hemorrhagic stroke on Thursday. He passed into glory and exchanged the corruptible for the incorruptible and eternal life with his Savior Jesus Christ. (1Cor. 15:53-55)
He was born in the family home on 8th Street in Prospect Park to Bastian and Jeanette Van Grouw and raised at 258 Fairview Street in Prospect Park. He graduated from Hawthorne High School with the Class of 1955. He attended The Cooper Union School of Art in New York City before marrying Gerda Aria den Hollander, his beloved wife of 62 years. Shortly thereafter he suffered the shock of his father’s unexpected death. The scripture, 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” was a special comfort to him at this time.
Donald worked as an apprentice at International Design in Paterson, soon moving to Burlington Industries where he became Managing Director of their Jacquard Art Studios in New York City until his retirement in 1998. He also served in the New Jersey National Guard for six years at the Teaneck Armory.
Donald was a life-long member of the Ebenezer Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Franklin Lakes. He served the church for forty-eight years as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and an elder. Donald was a longtime resident of Prospect Park before moving to Pequannock in 2001 and subsequently to the Holland Christian Home of North Haledon in 2022. His lifelong passion was gardening and floral design, in which he saw many spiritual parallels. Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” He tended the gardens in Hofstra Park in Prospect Park for many years, receiving public awards and recognition for his volunteer community service. Among his flower beds he highlighted Bible verses so others could see not only natural beauty, but also consider the goodness and beauty of our Creator. He is remembered by family and friends as a generous, selfless and loving man who pointed us to Christ and led by his godly and devoted example.
He is survived by his loving wife Gerda (DenHollander) Van Grouw; he was the devoted father of Bastian (Bob) Van Grouw (Amanda, Jason) and his wife Irene of Vernon, Ellen Greendyk and her husband Paul of Pompton Plains (Philip, Eric, Julia, Aria), Kathleen Van Grouw of Riverdale, Donald Van Grouw and his wife Ellen of Wayne (Matthew), and Scott Van Grouw and his wife Lenora (Lora) of Pompton Plains (Katrina, Taylor, Jeremy, Annika, Eliza); Loved brother of Barbara Tanis and her husband William of Wayne; he was the great grandfather of ten great-grandchildren and many nephews and great nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Netherlands Reformed Christian School, 164 Jacksonville Road, Pompton Plains, NJ 07444 would be greatly appreciated.
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