Leo VanKoert, Jr., 89
Dateline: Mansfield, MA
Leo VanKoert, Jr., age 89, of Mansfield passed unexpectedly, but peacefully at home on Monday, March 19, 2018. He was the beloved husband of Anne P. (Leone) VanKoert, to whom he was wed on May 27, 1972.
Born in Walpole, MA on October 9, 1928, he was a loving son of the late Leo, Sr. and Vera (Kramer) VanKoert.
Leo grew up in Franklin, New Hampshire. He was a graduate Franklin High School and attended Tilton Prep School. After proudly serving his country as a member of the United States Army, during the Korean War, he continued his education and was a graduate of Wentworth Institute.
A resident of Mansfield for over fifty years, Mr. VanKoert was the retired General Manager of Copeland Toyota in Brockton and was previously employed at the former Clark & White Lincoln-Mercury in Boston.
Leo loved spending time with his adoring family and especially the thirty years he spent, along with his wife, in Holiday, Florida during the winter months. He was a member of the Mansfield VFW, and a former member of Loyal Order of Moose and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Florida.
Leo’s hobbies included camping, antique cars, being an avid Boston sports fan and socializing with friends on his daily trips to the “coffee shop”.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his devoted daughters Deborah A. Ruta and her husband Pat of Mansfield, Susan M. Harnois and her husband David of New Jersey, Karen L. Patracuollo and her husband Frank of Mansfield, and Joanne D’Onofrio and her husband Rich of Norton. He was the dear brother of the late Helena Rose, and is also survived by his cherished grandchildren Brian, Megan, Kerri, Anthony, Ashley, Christopher, Katie and Richie, as well as 8 great grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews.
His funeral service, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 3:00 P.M. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield. Burial will follow at the Spring Brook cemetery in Mansfield.
Visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday, beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Leo’s family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Partners At Home VNA, 281 Winter St., Waltham, MA 02451 or the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215.
To send his family a message of condolence, please visit www.shermanjackson.com