Obituary of Jerry Vanderydt

Obituary of Jerry Vanderydt

A resident of Ridgetown, Jerry Vanderydt passed away peacefully at Eden Villa Retirement Home in Chatham on Monday, October 16, 2023, at the age of 77.

Born in the Netherlands on November 12, 1945, Jerry was the son of the late Martin and Johanna (nee Van Hoof) Vanderydt.

Beloved husband of 54 years to Helen (nee Vanderheyden) Vanderydt.

Loving father of Judy Smith of Ridgetown. Predeceased by children Brian Gerald (1972), Brenda Maria (1976) and Bryan Jerry (1994).

Proud Papa of Tanner Ellis (Richelle) and Sydney Smith both of Ridgetown.

Missed by his siblings Ted Vanderydt (Mary); Nell Pilon (Maurice); Tina Verhoeven (Harry); Bill Vanderydt (Pat); Martin Vanderydt (Mary); John Vanderydt (Joanne); Mary Peters (Tony); Tony Vanderydt.

Predeceased by sister Lena Zyp (late Hank) and brother Pete Vanderydt.

Remembered by in-laws Joanne Potter (late Dennis); Norio Vanderheyden (late Ed); Toni Vanderheyden (late John); Leo Vanderheyden (Caroline); Corry Vanderheyden (late Harry); late George and late Maria Vanderheyden; Marg Pearson (Ken); Fran Wilson (Al).

Also remembered by many, many nieces and nephews.

Jerry worked in the concrete business since his early twenties beginning in a partnership with his brother Ted owning ACME Concrete out of London. He later went out on his own and created Vanderydt Construction in Highgate. He also worked for Precision Concrete in Blenheim and later owned his own business D-Rydt Construction in Ridgetown until his retirement. He sold his business to Vantel Construction and continued to work with them for another 10 years. He continued to check on their jobs until the very end during drives with his brother.

Thank you to the staff of Eden Villa Retirement Home for their care, support, kindness and for tolerating dad’s sense of humour or lack thereof sometimes. Thank you also to Danielle Castein, his Palliative Care Coordinator and her team, for her patience, kindness and understanding with both dad and us.

Family will receive friends at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 76 Main Street East, Ridgetown on Thursday, October 19, 2023, from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Funeral Mass at St. Michael Church, Ridgetown on Friday, October 20, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Michael Cemetery, Howard Township.

Donations made in memory of Jerry to Chatham-Kent VON Kid’s Circle bereavement program would be appreciated by the family to continue their story with this organization. VON Kids’ Circle Program space at the United Way of Chatham-Kent building was dedicated in Bryan’s name in 2019, 25 years after his passing.

McKinlay Funeral Home

76 Main Street East, Ridgetown

519-674-3141