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Services
Friends are invited to visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Private burial will take place on Monday, and a Memorial Service celebrating God’s goodness to Harold will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2015 beginning at 10:30 AM at Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church, 422 Cedar Hill Ave. in Wyckoff.
Harold C. Kuipers, age 72 of Wanaque and formerly of Haledon, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.
Affectionately known as “Har” and “Big Har” by the countless people whose life he influenced, he was born in Paterson, the son of John and Cornelia Kuipers. He lived for a brief time in Prospect Park before moving to the other side of Haledon Avenue into a home on 14th Street in the tiny Boro of Haledon where he would spend his youth.
It was during his days at Eastern Christian High School that Har met a young girl named Barbara Steyling. She was a student at the Manchester High School, and she lived right around the corner from Har on 14th Street and Bernard Avenue. Barb caught Har’s eye, and so much was he smitten by her beauty, he reportedly was known to sneak up into his attic just so he could secretly admire her from a distance, watching her through a little window. He eventually mustered up the courage to get out of that attic and ask her out.
After graduating E.C. High School with the Class of 1960, Har went off to serve in the Army National Guard. While away to serve, he always held Barb close to his heart. Making sure to keep himself close to her heart too, you could say Har was the originator of the “selfie,” frequently sending Barb photos of himself with loving words expressing his affection written on the back. When Har finished his service to his country, he returned home. Soon after, he and Barb excitedly exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends - to love, comfort, honor and keep each other for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. Their wedding took place on June 27, 1964 at the Gospel Tabernacle in Paterson on the corner of Haledon Avenue and North 9th Street in Paterson. They rented an apartment in Wayne for a brief time, then moved into a home on Ida Street in Haledon. They spent many years on Ida Street, and it was there that they raised their two children, Harold and Nancy. When the opportunity presented itself, they moved back into Har’s childhood home on 14th Street.
Har received his professional training in heating and air conditioning installation and service. His first job after school was with Borduin Plumbing and Heating. He then went on to be a refrigeration tech for Grand Union. In 1966, he took a job with Reiner Heating and Air Conditioning where he remained for fifteen years. In 1981, Har purchased Astro Heating and Air Conditioning. God blessed him greatly as he ran his own business for the next 33 years. A year ago, he sold Astro to Air Group, LLC of Whippany where he stayed on as a supervisor. Har loved that last year and was very grateful to Air Group for their kindness and generosity.
Har and Barb were blessed with some great long-time friendships. If their kids were told that some of those friends were coming over “for company,” they knew they were in for a long, long night! “Company” would usually start around 10 PM and could easily go until about 2 AM! As friends enjoyed a great time laughing and being loud, the kids had a hard time sleeping. For years, this group of friends dreamed about going on trips together, but with all of life’s other expenses, it was hard to save the money for such a trip. Eventually, they got the idea of starting a collective pot. They agreed that every time they got together for dinner, they would all bring a little money to throw into the pot. They continued to save their money in this way until they had enough for that first trip. Over the next thirty-some years, Har, Barb and their band of friends kept feeding the pot and going on trips – mostly cruises – to every destination you could think of.
Har and his wife Barbara enjoyed many happy years but also went through great trial as Barb experienced a prolonged illness which she endured until God called her home in 2008. Throughout her years of sickness, Har stood faithfully and lovingly by Barb’s side, tirelessly caring for and supporting her in every possible way that he could. Well done Har! You were a good and faithful servant.
One of the couples that Har and Barb enjoyed cruises with was Bern and Ann De Block. Bern was taken suddenly from this life in 2004 to be with the Lord. Missing his beloved wife Barbara, one day Har asked Ann if she’d like to join him for dinner. They had been friends for all these years anyway, so why not? That dinner led to more dinners and a relationship that grew from friendship to a special love. Har eventually approached his kids to tell them that he wanted to marry Ann, but not without their blessing. Talk about a kind of “shoe on the other foot” scenario! His kids wholeheartedly gave Har their blessing, and Har and Ann married on October 2, 2010 at Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff. After being married they moved to Wanaque.
Har derived great joy in his role as a grandfather. Always youthful and playful himself, he was proud of each one of his grandkids, and he loved seeing them use the gifts that God gave them. Throughout the years he cheered them on at countless baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball games, and musical concerts and plays and graduations.
It’s not surprising that Har had a great relationship with each of his grandkids. After all, ask anyone that knew Har what one of his greatest passions in life was, and you will most likely get the answer, “Har was passionate about helping young people to know Jesus better!” This passion started when he was just nineteen years old. Har’s church – the former Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Paterson – had a youth program for young boys called Cadets which was similar to the Boy Scouts. One of the men who led this group knew that Har had served in the National Guard. Since the boys needed training in marching in tight formation, he thought Har would be the perfect guy to teach them. Har accepted the challenge and became a Cadet leader. His massive stature and big voice, balanced by his warmth and sense of humor made Har the perfect man for the job. On one hand, those young boys couldn’t help being a little bit afraid of Big Har. On the other hand, they couldn’t help feeling a great sense of admiration for him. He had a way of helping boys as young as seven year old feel like young men. Already in that first year, it was evident that God had given Har gifts for connecting with young kids. For the next twenty years, and after countless hikes, campouts, merit badges and games of capture the flag, Har served and pointed boys to a living relationship with God. Then in 1983, he took on a new challenge – serving as one of the church’s high school youth group leaders. In 1990, Bethel Church merged with Calvin Church of Wyckoff and became Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church. Already seven fun-filled years into serving as a youth group leader, Har enthusiastically continued to serve high school kids in this newly formed church. Then one year he was asked to shift gears and help start a youth group for middle school youth. Har again accepted this new opportunity. The group was called Heirborne, and Har passionately served these kids, worshiping, praying, playing, dialoguing, going on retreats, teaching them about world hunger, loving all people and pointing them to Christ right up until a couple of months ago when only sickness could stop him. In all, Har served young people for the last 52 years without ever wanting to stop!
Harold is survived by his wife Ann; his two children: Harold R. and wife Barbra Kuipers of Oakland, and Nancy and husband Steve Martin of Wanaque; three step-sons: Michael and wife Donna De Block of Wayne, Tom and wife Sue De Block of North Haledon, and Marc and wife Rachel De Block of Waldwick; five grandchildren: Kailey, Rebecca, Jarrett, Paige, and Luke; seven step-grandchildren: Matthew, Bethany, Christian, Thomas, Nicholas, James and Kaitlin; his step-mother Betty Tolsma of North Haledon; step-brothers: Bill and wife Wilma Bogertman of North Haledon, and Ken and wife Lorna Bogertman of North Haledon; his step-sister Nancy and husband Ron Van Harken of Webster, NY; and his brother-in-law Bruce and wife Ruth Ann Steyling of Hawthorne.
Har was predeceased by his first wife Barbara in 2008.
Because of his great heart for youth, Har asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory be made to YouthQuest, 422 Cedar Hill Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends are invited to visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Private burial will take place on Monday, and a Memorial Service celebrating God’s goodness to Harold will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2015 beginning at 10:30 AM at Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church, 422 Cedar Hill Ave. in Wyckoff.
Services
Friends are invited to visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM.
Private burial will take place on Monday, and a Memorial Service celebrating God’s goodness to Harold will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2015 beginning at 10:30 AM at Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church, 422 Cedar Hill Ave. in Wyckoff.
Harold C. Kuipers, age 72 of Wanaque and formerly of Haledon, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, June 3, 2015.
Affectionately known as “Har” and “Big Har” by the countless people whose life he influenced, he was born in Paterson, the son of John and Cornelia Kuipers. He lived for a brief time in Prospect Park before moving to the other side of Haledon Avenue into a home on 14th Street in the tiny Boro of Haledon where he would spend his youth.
It was during his days at Eastern Christian High School that Har met a young girl named Barbara Steyling. She was a student at the Manchester High School, and she lived right around the corner from Har on 14th Street and Bernard Avenue. Barb caught Har’s eye, and so much was he smitten by her beauty, he reportedly was known to sneak up into his attic just so he could secretly admire her from a distance, watching her through a little window. He eventually mustered up the courage to get out of that attic and ask her out.
After graduating E.C. High School with the Class of 1960, Har went off to serve in the Army National Guard. While away to serve, he always held Barb close to his heart. Making sure to keep himself close to her heart too, you could say Har was the originator of the “selfie,” frequently sending Barb photos of himself with loving words expressing his affection written on the back. When Har finished his service to his country, he returned home. Soon after, he and Barb excitedly exchanged their wedding promises before God, family and friends - to love, comfort, honor and keep each other for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health. Their wedding took place on June 27, 1964 at the Gospel Tabernacle in Paterson on the corner of Haledon Avenue and North 9th Street in Paterson. They rented an apartment in Wayne for a brief time, then moved into a home on Ida Street in Haledon. They spent many years on Ida Street, and it was there that they raised their two children, Harold and Nancy. When the opportunity presented itself, they moved back into Har’s childhood home on 14th Street.
Har received his professional training in heating and air conditioning installation and service. His first job after school was with Borduin Plumbing and Heating. He then went on to be a refrigeration tech for Grand Union. In 1966, he took a job with Reiner Heating and Air Conditioning where he remained for fifteen years. In 1981, Har purchased Astro Heating and Air Conditioning. God blessed him greatly as he ran his own business for the next 33 years. A year ago, he sold Astro to Air Group, LLC of Whippany where he stayed on as a supervisor. Har loved that last year and was very grateful to Air Group for their kindness and generosity.
Har and Barb were blessed with some great long-time friendships. If their kids were told that some of those friends were coming over “for company,” they knew they were in for a long, long night! “Company” would usually start around 10 PM and could easily go until about 2 AM! As friends enjoyed a great time laughing and being loud, the kids had a hard time sleeping. For years, this group of friends dreamed about going on trips together, but with all of life’s other expenses, it was hard to save the money for such a trip. Eventually, they got the idea of starting a collective pot. They agreed that every time they got together for dinner, they would all bring a little money to throw into the pot. They continued to save their money in this way until they had enough for that first trip. Over the next thirty-some years, Har, Barb and their band of friends kept feeding the pot and going on trips – mostly cruises – to every destination you could think of.
Har and his wife Barbara enjoyed many happy years but also went through great trial as Barb experienced a prolonged illness which she endured until God called her home in 2008. Throughout her years of sickness, Har stood faithfully and lovingly by Barb’s side, tirelessly caring for and supporting her in every possible way that he could. Well done Har! You were a good and faithful servant.
One of the couples that Har and Barb enjoyed cruises with was Bern and Ann De Block. Bern was taken suddenly from this life in 2004 to be with the Lord. Missing his beloved wife Barbara, one day Har asked Ann if she’d like to join him for dinner. They had been friends for all these years anyway, so why not? That dinner led to more dinners and a relationship that grew from friendship to a special love. Har eventually approached his kids to tell them that he wanted to marry Ann, but not without their blessing. Talk about a kind of “shoe on the other foot” scenario! His kids wholeheartedly gave Har their blessing, and Har and Ann married on October 2, 2010 at Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church in Wyckoff. After being married they moved to Wanaque.
Har derived great joy in his role as a grandfather. Always youthful and playful himself, he was proud of each one of his grandkids, and he loved seeing them use the gifts that God gave them. Throughout the years he cheered them on at countless baseball, basketball, football, soccer, and volleyball games, and musical concerts and plays and graduations.
It’s not surprising that Har had a great relationship with each of his grandkids. After all, ask anyone that knew Har what one of his greatest passions in life was, and you will most likely get the answer, “Har was passionate about helping young people to know Jesus better!” This passion started when he was just nineteen years old. Har’s church – the former Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Paterson – had a youth program for young boys called Cadets which was similar to the Boy Scouts. One of the men who led this group knew that Har had served in the National Guard. Since the boys needed training in marching in tight formation, he thought Har would be the perfect guy to teach them. Har accepted the challenge and became a Cadet leader. His massive stature and big voice, balanced by his warmth and sense of humor made Har the perfect man for the job. On one hand, those young boys couldn’t help being a little bit afraid of Big Har. On the other hand, they couldn’t help feeling a great sense of admiration for him. He had a way of helping boys as young as seven year old feel like young men. Already in that first year, it was evident that God had given Har gifts for connecting with young kids. For the next twenty years, and after countless hikes, campouts, merit badges and games of capture the flag, Har served and pointed boys to a living relationship with God. Then in 1983, he took on a new challenge – serving as one of the church’s high school youth group leaders. In 1990, Bethel Church merged with Calvin Church of Wyckoff and became Cedar Hill Christian Reformed Church. Already seven fun-filled years into serving as a youth group leader, Har enthusiastically continued to serve high school kids in this newly formed church. Then one year he was asked to shift gears and help start a youth group for middle school youth. Har again accepted this new opportunity. The group was called Heirborne, and Har passionately served these kids, worshiping, praying, playing, dialoguing, going on retreats, teaching them about world hunger, loving all people and pointing them to Christ right up until a couple of months ago when only sickness could stop him. In all, Har served young people for the last 52 years without ever wanting to stop!
Harold is survived by his wife Ann; his two children: Harold R. and wife Barbra Kuipers of Oakland, and Nancy and husband Steve Martin of Wanaque; three step-sons: Michael and wife Donna De Block of Wayne, Tom and wife Sue De Block of North Haledon, and Marc and wife Rachel De Block of Waldwick; five grandchildren: Kailey, Rebecca, Jarrett, Paige, and Luke; seven step-grandchildren: Matthew, Bethany, Christian, Thomas, Nicholas, James and Kaitlin; his step-mother Betty Tolsma of North Haledon; step-brothers: Bill and wife Wilma Bogertman of North Haledon, and Ken and wife Lorna Bogertman of North Haledon; his step-sister Nancy and husband Ron Van Harken of Webster, NY; and his brother-in-law Bruce and wife Ruth Ann Steyling of Hawthorne.
Har was predeceased by his first wife Barbara in 2008.
Because of his great heart for youth, Har asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory be made to YouthQuest, 422 Cedar Hill Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481.
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