Melis "Kees" C. Jongerden

Portland- Melis “Kees” Jongerden, 83, peacefully sailed away on Monday, February 11, 2013. The son of Kees and Maria (Puik) Jongerden, he was born in Hilversum Holland on January 13, 1930. Kees and his family faced and persevered many challenges growing up in Holland during WWII. After the war, at the age of 18 he enlisted in the Royal Dutch Air Force, and was sent to radar school in Mississippi, graduating first in his class of 500. While in the Air Force he developed his interest in electronics and actually built his own television set. After finishing school he returned to Holland and was stationed at Soesterberg Air Force Base. During this time, he met Theodora DeVries, and they were married in November of 1952. They enjoyed traveling extensively around Europe on a small motorcycle. After a few years they had their first son Lambertus while in Holland. On Christmas Eve of 1956 they landed in New York City to start a new life in America, the country Kees’ fell in love with while at radar school. They settled in Boston for a year and had their second son Rob. After a year in Boston, they moved to Maine and settled in Falmouth on the water, and had three daughters Patty, Cathy, and Mary Ann. Kees enjoyed the fun in life, skiing, sailing, golfing, and traveling in his “Motah Home” named “Betsie”. Kees was predeceased by his late wife Theodora, and by his brother Lambertus. He is survived by his son Lambertus Jongerden and his wife Josette Barbarite, his son Robertus Jongerden and his wife Antoinette, his daughter Patricia Genard, his daughter Catherine Perna, and her husband David, and his daughter Mary Ann LaPierre and her fiancée Steven Kenney, five grandchildren Kyle Jongerden, Coleby and Shelby LaPierre, Julia Curry, and Sarah Genard, a great grandson Adam Curry, a stepdaughter Laura Gall, a brother Henk, a sister Ria, a brother Frans, a sister Lamberta, a special cousin Chris, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Friday February 15, 2013 at 1:00 PM at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. Donations can be made in Kees’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.