Maarten Rutteman

Maarten Rutteman was a resident of Hanover for 50 years.  He passed away suddenly at South Shore Hospital surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Hengelo, Holland on May 23, 1922. He was the late son of Cornelis and Auguste Rutteman.  Maarten lived in Holland during the Nazi occupation and was in concentration camp for two months.  Once released, he went underground to get to Paris, France to join his twin brother Eduard.  Upon arriving, they hired a guide to take them to Lourdes and they took off on their own from a cabin in the Pyrenees to cross into Spain.  Upon arrival, they spent two months in four prisons until their release was obtained by the Dutch consul.  They were drafted into the British Allied forces in Gibraltar for training and then went by ship to Great Britain to join the army.  They met with Queen Wilhelmina and other Dutch forces.  They were part of the small group of Engelandvaarders (Dutchmen who crossed occupied Holland to join the military in Great Britain).  They went on to land in Normandy two weeks after the American forces.

Maarten worked for Shell Oil Company in Peru, Columbia, and Venezuela.  He met his beloved wife on vacation in Austria. They married in Toronto, Canada and 5 years later moved to Massachusetts and settled South of Boston.  Maarten worked as a technician in the stationery industry.  He was an avid reader: Shakespeare, Moliere, Balzac, and Cervantes were his favorites.  He spoke four plus languages based on his liberal arts education.  He enjoyed translating Greek and Latin books.  He always read books in their original languages.  He wrote two books: one a memoir of his escape from Nazi occupied Holland and one on the history of the Incas.  He wrote a travel article on Spain for the Patriot Ledger since he knew Spain from the inside and out.  They spent a lot of time at their cottage on Cape Cod.  Maarten and his daughter Dominique played many games of Monopoly and enjoyed miniature golf.  Maarten and his wife loved to travel to many countries including: Spain, Peru, Portugal, Madeira, France, Venezuela, Mexico, and numerous cruises to Panama and the islands.  Up until recently, Maarten enjoyed his walks in the neighborhood.

Maarten was the beloved husband of Marie Therese of 63 years and devoted father of Dominique.  He is predeceased by his brothers Gerard, Joost, and his twin brother Eduard.  He leaves his sisters-in-laws May Rutteman of The Hague, Holland and Sonia Gonzalez Rutteman of Maracaibo, Venezuela.  He leaves many nieces and nephews around the world.

A graveside ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 1st at 11:00AM at Hanover Center Cemetery. Meet at the Sullivan Funeral Home in Hanover - 551 Washington St., Rt. 53. at 10:15AM to join the funeral procession.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Alzheimer's Association in the name of Maarten H. Rutteman would be appreciated.