Ralph Jeremiah Van Nostrand, II, 60, of Derry died Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was born May 17, 1951 in Rockville Centre, NY and was the son of the late Ralph J., Sr. and Thelma A. (Anderson) Van Nostrand. He was raised and educated in Huntington, Long Island, and graduated with a Master’s degree from Springfield College. Mr. Van Nostrand was a Career Education Counselor at Pinkerton Academy in Derry for 37 years. During his tenure at Pinkerton, he was a founding member of the Boys’ Volleyball team, and guided them to numerous state championships, as well as being instrumental in establishing boys’ volleyball as a varsity sport in NH. Coach Van was the Boys’ Junior Varsity Basketball coach from 1975 to 1990, Junior Varsity Baseball coach for over 26 years, and was also a volunteer to the Derry Little League, and Derry’s American Legion baseball team. Mr. Van Nostrand was also the “PA” announcer for the Astros’ football games, the voice of the “morning announcements” at Pinkerton, as well as the timekeeper for the Astros’ Ice Hockey and Basketball games. Additionally, he volunteered with the girls’ volleyball team for the past 2 years, and was a 17-year volunteer with the Pinkerton Veteran’s Breakfast. Ralph enjoyed fishing, photography, reading, listening to music and going to the movies. He was also an avid Revolutionary War Historian, and loved traveling, especially to Ireland which he was able to visit in 2005. Ralph also was a devoted NY Giants, Mets and Rangers fan. Coach Van was a friend to many and loved by all.
Members of the family include his wife of 31 years, Sue Ellen (Vincelette) Van Nostrand, of Derry, son Michael Van Nostrand, of Medford and daughter, Katherine Van Nostrand, also of Derry. Mr. Van Nostrand is also survived by his nieces Joanne Balentine, Andrea Fletcher and Kayla Montgomery and nephews William Fletcher and Samuel Stinson, as well as two great-nephews Andrew and Matthew Balentine. He was predeceased by his sister Candace Montgomery.
Calling hours were held Wednesday January 25, 2012 from 4 to 8pm at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, NH. A memorial service was held Thursday at 2:30pm at the Stockbridge Theater, at Pinkerton Academy. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to the “Coach Van Scholarship”, C/O Pinkerton Alumni Office, 5 Pinkerton Street Derry, NH 03038.