Theodore John De Groot

De Groot, Theodore John, "Dick", age 91, of Sussex, on Friday, February 6, 2026. Born in Heerhugowaard, the Netherlands. Dick, along with his five siblings, were forever galvanized during their shared experiences as survivors of the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during WWII. Dick's experiences made an indelible mark, but also kindled a reverence for the American forces and their sacrifices in the liberation of the Dutch people. Dick and his siblings had the great fortune to be brought safely through the war years with the help of a cousin, Anna Maria, who took her vows after the war.

Dick and his siblings reunited often, and he looked forward to these reunions, spending quality time with one another seeing sights or just drinking coffee. He was especially moved when all of his five siblings arrived to support him when his beloved son, Martin De Groot, passed in 2004. Such is the testament to their kinship. Dick was incredibly proud of his brothers achievements. His eldest, Wim, worked to develop a strain of bean to grow in Sub-Saharan Africa. His youngest, Jan, was inducted into the order of Orange-Nassau for meritorious service.

Dick emigrated from the Netherlands to Canada in the late 1950's, finding work where he could, and discovering a love of aeronautics while taking flying lessons. He met his wife Ruth, married in Canada, and determined for his children to be born in America, they eventually settled in Hawthorne where Dick remained for most of his life. An auto mechanic by trade, Dick worked at Hawthorne Chevy repairing engines and later owned and operated De Groot Car and Truck Repair on Wagaraw Road. He joined Fire Company #2 in 1970, and served many years, including six years as assistant chief. He made many lifelong friends and enjoyed an unexpected sense of community.

Upon retiring from the service station, Dick found a new career as a chauffeur for Brooke Shields and Company. During those years, Dick found himself in awe of Miss Shields' beauty, intelligence, and work ethic. Their relationship was always profoundly important to Dick. During his years with Miss Shields, he traveled to California, Idaho, and Montana, and felt very fortunate to see so many beautiful parts of this country.

Dick was a devoted Grandfather to Christian Theodore Fender. He reveled in all of Christian's endeavors. He instilled "CT's" lifelong love of nature, fishing, and automobiles. He enjoyed participating in every birthday party, and lit up each and every time he saw or talked about his grandson. Dick was ever present. Their typical order of the day was anything high-velocity, spontaneous, and unbridled, in which Dick encouraged all ingenuity and hijinx.

Dick ultimately settled in Sussex where his lifelong enjoyment of collecting and restoring antiques, fishing, and swimming, gave him daily satisfaction. Every day looking out on the water from this lakeside residence gave him much needed peace and rejuvenation of spirit, especially after the passing of his son, Martin. Dick was extremely active well into his advanced age. He continued to tinker with antiques, and fish, for as long as he was able.

One of the highlights of Dick's life was taking a ride on a B17 Flying Fortress in 2018. At 84, Dick was determined to get aboard. He had very emotional memories of B17's dropping food and supplies over the Netherlands at the end of the war. Dick asked for very little in life, he made few demands, never expressed high expectations for himself, or his family, but he would volunteer his service, his time, and work tirelessly. Dick had a particular gift for storytelling, and enjoyed partaking in Dutch customs and foods.

Dick is survived by his devoted daughter Nancy Fender, her husband Christopher, and their son, Christian of New City, NY. As well as, family in the Netherlands, including his dear sisters, Annie Schuijt (Dick) and Joop de Boer (Ton), and their late husbands. Preceded by both of his brothers, Wim Groot(Gon) and Jan Groot (Lida), and his older sister Afra Damen(Herman), and survived by their spouses. In addition, Dick is survived by 14 nieces and nephews, and their children in the Netherlands, and Josephina "Jose" Petit (John), her daughters and granddaughter, in NJ.

The family, on behalf of Dick, would like to express their extraordinary gratitude to the New Jersey State Firemen's Association. Their support allowed Dick to retain his independence and dignity and to live out his final years precisely the way he wanted.

Cremation will be private with a memorial mass to be scheduled at St. Anthony's R.C. Church in Hawthorne at a later date.