Search Results

VanderSys -- Former Santa Fe businessman, James VanderSys, 86, died at his Rio Rancho home Friday, March 27, 1998, with his wife of 62 years, Ethel, by his side. Born Koos VanderSys on May 8, 1911, in Rotterdam, Holland, his name was changed to James when his family immigrated to the United States in 1915. He attended school in Ferrysberg and Grand Haven, Michigan and grew up enjoying hunting, fishing, swimming, and canoeing on Lake Michigan. Married to Ethel Payne on October 12, 1935, James and Ethel moved to Santa Fe in 1942, where he started the Santa Fe Nursery and Greenhouses. He developed the landscaping for several Santa Fe landmarks, including the Scottish Rite Temple, and volunteered hundreds of hours to maintain the grounds of the Fairview Cemetery. He was an active member of the New Mexico Nurserymen's Association and served for several years as its president. He also ran a Santa Fe bowling alley and spa and was active in several bowling leagues. VanderSys was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Montezuma Masonic Lodge No. 1, Scottish Rite and Shriners. He was preceded in death by a son, Curtis"Butch" VanderSys in 1989. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Sharon Mason of Albuquerque, Richard VanderSys of Rio Rancho, and Pamela Adams of Libby, MT; 12 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lena Camirand and Mae Zynkian of California; two brothers, Bill VanderSys and Ted VanderSys, both of Michigan; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 2, at St. John's United Methodist Church in Santa Fe, followed by a Masonic graveside service at Fairview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital Fund, in care of the Santa Fe Shrine Club, P.O. Box 1265, Santa Fe, NM 87504.
        Published on: Wed April 01, 1998