Nic Van Dongen

Nic Van Dongen, 90, died peacefully on Wednesday evening, August 18, 2021, surrounded by his immediate family at his home in Swansea, MA following an extended illness. Born May 29, 1931 in Brasov, Romania to Dutch parents, Nic’s family moved back to The Netherlands and Nic spent his childhood in the town of Haarlem. With his sister and mother, Nic endured German occupation during World War II through 1945 and ultimately earned an electrical engineering degree in Amsterdam in 1953. That same year Nic emigrated to the US, lived in New York City and attended Columbia University.

Nic married Ineke (Marina Offenberg) in 1960 in their hometown of Haarlem, The Netherlands, and after initially residing in Cranston, RI, they settled permanently in Swansea (Touisset), MA in 1963.

Nic’s career spanned across half a century as an accomplished Electrical Engineer. He initially worked for Sargeant & Wilbur Inc. and later with St. Regis Paper Company, as an engineer and operational leader. Nic would go on to enjoy a celebrated 26-year career in critical engineering roles at Polaroid Corporation in their film negative manufacturing facility in New Bedford, MA. Following his retirement in 1996, Nic’s entrepreneurial spirit was matched by his generosity and workmanship. Nic established Felicity Marine, Inc. which allowed him to follow his passion around design and installation of marine and residential electrical, power, and navigation systems. The value he brought to customers on boats throughout the region and to homeowners on Cuttyhunk and other remote locations was a great source of pride to him.

Nic was an ardent sailor, having learned to sail as a child in The Netherlands. He brought his love for sailing and the ocean with him when he and his wife settled in Touisset. Nic & Ineke filled many shelves with sailing trophies over the years. They became true sailing influencers and fostered many dear friendships within their vast boating community. Nic held active roles in the Coles River Club in Touisset; the Ida Lewis Yacht Club in Newport, RI; he founded the True North Owners Association and was influential with the North American Nonsuch Association.

Nic and Ineke spent a lifetime of friendship and enrichment raising a wonderful family over 60 years of marriage. Together they enjoyed sailing, cruising, and traveling to Curacao, the Caribbean, and extensively throughout the US and Europe.

He is survived by his wife Ineke of 60 years, his two sons Merrick and Nicholas, daughters-in-law Shauna and Dalila, grandchildren Carly, Sophie, Catherine, Anna, Julien and Emilie, half-sister Ingrid Koehler and family, best friend Enno Borren, and countless close friends and neighbors whose relationships Nic prized over the course of his life.

His Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, September 10, 2021 at 12:00 PM in the Waring-Sullivan Home at Birchcrest, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea. Visitation from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM prior to the service. At the request of the family, guests are asked to wear a mask while in the Funeral Home for services. Burial is private. Memorial contributions in his honor may be made to Boston University School of Medicine: Amyloidosis Center at bu.edu/amyloid/donate or to Southcoast V.N.A. Hospice, 200 Mill Rd, Fairhaven, MA 02719.