Joseph R. Ouwerkerk, Sr., 79, of Derry, NH, died Tuesday, February 14, 2006 in the Haven Healthcare Center, Derry. Mr. Ouwerkerk was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 3, 1926, a son of the late Cornelius D. and Sara (Cavenaugh) Ouwerkerk. He had formerly lived in Chester, NH and Saugerties, NY. He was a US Army Veteran having served during WWII. Mr. Ouwerkerk was employed as a heavy equipment mechanic for the public works department in the Village of Saugerties, NY. He was the former Fire Chief for the South Hempstead Fire Dept. in Long Island, NY and later a volunteer fireman for the Chester Fire Dept. He also worked part time for Ouwerkerk Plumbing and Heating in Chester and previously Saugerties. He enjoyed landscaping and gardening.
He is survived by two sons, Joseph R. Ouwerkerk, Jr. and his wife Tina of Chester, Russell W. Ouwerkerk and his wife Lorie of Chester, seven grandchildren, Samantha, Joseph, Peter, Angelina, Christopher, Johnathan and Laurel, a sister, Mary "Anna" Molloy of Saugerties, and also by several half-brothers and half-sisters. He also leaves nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Viola A. (Fuchs) Ouwerkerk in 1991.
Following cremation friends called from 1-4pm, Sunday, February 19th, 2006 at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday at 10:00am in St. Paul's Church, 54 Main St., Candia, NH. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Rockingham VNA & Hospice, 137 Epping Rd., Exeter, NH 03833.