In Memory Of
Cornelis Van Der Wouden
1933
2023
Cornelis Van Der Wouden
June 19, 1933 — January 13, 2023
Cornelis van der Wouden, 89, of Albany, went home to be with the Lord on January 13, 2023.
He was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on June 19, 1933 to the late Arie and Trijntje (van Herk) van der Wouden.
Cornelis and his new bride Cornelia were married in The Netherlands on April 17, 1957, and then came to America ten days later to pursue the American Dream. At the time, the Dutch government was offering sponsorships to adult children of dairy farmers to immigrate to America, because they felt the small dairy farms could not financially support the new generation of adults. Cornelis, who was not interested in being a farmer, signed up and asked Cornelia if she wanted to come too. Since two of his classmates had already immigrated to the Chatham, New York area, Cornelis and Cornelia initially settled there. In 1962 they relocated to Guilderland.
Cornelis' career included working for the Shaker Museum, operating a Gulf Gas Station in Guilderland, and driving a dump truck for the excavation of the Empire State Plaza construction project. Cornelis's favorite job was being a truck driver for Sysco Foods. He made many friends delivering to restaurants and businesses and developed a keen interest in food preparation. He was known for his reliability to get the job done, no matter the challenges, throughout his 33-year career.
Cornelis loved working on cars in his garage. Growing geraniums, collecting Dutch Delft ware, and woodworking were other passions of his. He also liked to frequent Estate sales to find treasures.
Since his education was cut short because of WWII, he only completed school through the 6th grade. Despite this, Cornelis read the Wall Street Journal every day and became an avid investor in the stock market. He was a member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America, and owned numerous models, including his 1982 240D Mercedes that he won best of show with in 2012.
Cornelis never forgot his Dutch roots. Nearly every year he would travel back to Holland to visit his relatives. He loved to wear his wooden shoes, and had the nickname "Wooden Shoes." He liked Dutch/German music and liked to go to the German American Club in Colonie for dancing and fellowship.
He delighted in teaching his children and grandchildren automotive repair and other simple tasks, such as peeling an apple in one piece. He loved his cat, Tracy.
Cornelis is survived by his daughter Nellie (Greg) Goutos and his son George (Lynn) van der Wouden and grandchildren: Kevin (Stephanie) Goutos, Timothy (Abigail) van der Wouden, Corrina Goutos, Steven (Meagan) van der Wouden, Sarah (Brian) Powell, Dayle (Ryan) Carhart-Davis and 5 great grand-children: Liam, Logan, David, Oliver & Grace. Also, survived by his friend Mirjana Skanski, his sister Trijntje de Jong, and brothers Adri and Johan van der Wouden. He is predeceased by his wife Cornelia and sister Gerrie Meerkerk.
Family and Friends are invited to a celebration of life service and luncheon at Carman Road Community Church, 3313 Carman Road on Saturday January 28th at 11:00. Service will be streamed online: http://bit.ly/3kt4H8y
Click here to view Cornelis' Service
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com
He was born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on June 19, 1933 to the late Arie and Trijntje (van Herk) van der Wouden.
Cornelis and his new bride Cornelia were married in The Netherlands on April 17, 1957, and then came to America ten days later to pursue the American Dream. At the time, the Dutch government was offering sponsorships to adult children of dairy farmers to immigrate to America, because they felt the small dairy farms could not financially support the new generation of adults. Cornelis, who was not interested in being a farmer, signed up and asked Cornelia if she wanted to come too. Since two of his classmates had already immigrated to the Chatham, New York area, Cornelis and Cornelia initially settled there. In 1962 they relocated to Guilderland.
Cornelis' career included working for the Shaker Museum, operating a Gulf Gas Station in Guilderland, and driving a dump truck for the excavation of the Empire State Plaza construction project. Cornelis's favorite job was being a truck driver for Sysco Foods. He made many friends delivering to restaurants and businesses and developed a keen interest in food preparation. He was known for his reliability to get the job done, no matter the challenges, throughout his 33-year career.
Cornelis loved working on cars in his garage. Growing geraniums, collecting Dutch Delft ware, and woodworking were other passions of his. He also liked to frequent Estate sales to find treasures.
Since his education was cut short because of WWII, he only completed school through the 6th grade. Despite this, Cornelis read the Wall Street Journal every day and became an avid investor in the stock market. He was a member of the Mercedes Benz Club of America, and owned numerous models, including his 1982 240D Mercedes that he won best of show with in 2012.
Cornelis never forgot his Dutch roots. Nearly every year he would travel back to Holland to visit his relatives. He loved to wear his wooden shoes, and had the nickname "Wooden Shoes." He liked Dutch/German music and liked to go to the German American Club in Colonie for dancing and fellowship.
He delighted in teaching his children and grandchildren automotive repair and other simple tasks, such as peeling an apple in one piece. He loved his cat, Tracy.
Cornelis is survived by his daughter Nellie (Greg) Goutos and his son George (Lynn) van der Wouden and grandchildren: Kevin (Stephanie) Goutos, Timothy (Abigail) van der Wouden, Corrina Goutos, Steven (Meagan) van der Wouden, Sarah (Brian) Powell, Dayle (Ryan) Carhart-Davis and 5 great grand-children: Liam, Logan, David, Oliver & Grace. Also, survived by his friend Mirjana Skanski, his sister Trijntje de Jong, and brothers Adri and Johan van der Wouden. He is predeceased by his wife Cornelia and sister Gerrie Meerkerk.
Family and Friends are invited to a celebration of life service and luncheon at Carman Road Community Church, 3313 Carman Road on Saturday January 28th at 11:00. Service will be streamed online: http://bit.ly/3kt4H8y
Click here to view Cornelis' Service
To leave a special message for the family online, please visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Cornelis Van Der Wouden, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Celebration of Life
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Carman Road Community Church
Guestbook
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