Anthonie VanderWerff Sr.

Anthonie VanderWerff, Sr., a longtime Yonkers resident, died on Friday April 22, 2011 at St. John’s Riverside Hospital. He was 89 years old. He was born on June 1, 1921 to Peter and Djerke (Poorter) VanderWerff in Haarlem, Holland. He came to Yonkers at a young age and was raised and educated here, graduating from Saunders Trade and Technical School. Mr. VanderWerff was a tool and die maker for Gries Reproducer in New Rochelle for twenty five years until his retirement in 1986. He also played guitar and sang with the Astro-Nites Band which performed at the Log Cabin Inn in Armonk, Palisades Amusement Park and several colleges in the area. Mr. VanderWerff served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1946. He was a Petty Officer First Class and was stationed in Florida where he repaired planes on aircraft carriers. His hobbies included country and western music and playing the guitar. He married Catherine Williams in October 1939 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Yonkers and they were re-married in 1948 in Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Yonkers. Mrs. VanderWerff survives and lives in Yonkers. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Anthonie VanderWerff, Jr. of Mt. Vernon and James VanderWerff of Jersey City, N.J., three daughters, Patricia Walsh of Beacon, Kathleen DeChent of Fishkill and Christine Abdo of Hopewell Junction and one sister, Dorothy Minutella of Florida. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Gloria VanderWerff and her family, 18 grandchildren and 38 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a daughter Lynn Perzel and a brother Herbert VanderWerff. Visiting hours will be at Whalen & Ball Funeral Home on Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM. Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home on Tuesday April 26th at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Oakland Cemetery.