Simon "Sy" Vander Kooy

Simon “Sy” Vander Kooy was a man of great character whose spirit was deeply rooted in the Christian faith and his life was a constant reflection of these beliefs that were engraved upon his heart. Sy was a devoted husband and father who was happiest when he was in the presence of his precious family. No stranger to hard work, Sy always worked in the food market industry and he grew from a butcher shop employee to operating successful food market chains where he favored doing business the old fashioned way, armed with his yellow legal pad. Although Sy lived a life full of accomplishments and milestones, he will be remembered most for his quick wit, his generous heart and his dedication to his Lord and Savior.

The 1920s were a time of prosperity in America as we had emerged from WWI as a superpower and the economy was booming. Also during this time, Gabriel and Antonia (Ekdom) Vander Kooy, of Union County, South Dakota, were celebrating the birth of their son, Simon Henry, on April 15, 1926. Simon’s parents had recently immigrated to America from the Netherlands and settled in South Dakota. However, when Simon was very young, their family relocated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where his father sold produce. Sy, as he came to be called, was one of four children in his family and because our country became tightly gripped in the Great Depression beginning in 1929, the Vander Kooy family struggled to make ends meet. Their family settled in the Grandville Avenue area where there were many other Dutch families. Sy was an energetic boy who was a bit of a hustler as he was always looking for a way to make some money to help the family out. He did whatever odd jobs he could find including sweeping out factories, peddling newspapers or helping out with gardening, exhibiting an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age.

Sy attended schools on the south side of the city and then later went to Grand Rapids Christian High where he graduated with the class of 1944. Immediately following graduation, Sy went into the Navy and valiantly served his country during WWII. While in the service, Sy served as a cook aboard a ship and this introduction to the food service industry paved the way for a successful and fulfilling career. Upon his discharge, Sy enrolled in Calvin College and also worked as a property surveyor for a time. Additionally, Sy drove a delivery truck for Eberhard Food Stores in Grand Rapids and while making his deliveries downtown, he often met a delightful young gal who worked at a local jewelry store and she would soon hold a special place in Sy’s heart.

Her name was Mary Daane and after several “chance” meetings with her, Sy asked her out and she accepted. A romance soon blossomed and they married on June 15, 1948. The newlyweds settled into a home on Jefferson Street and Sy went to work for Mary’s father who owned a butcher shop. Sy and Mary saved money and built a new home on Kelsey N.E. where they did the painting themselves in order to save money. They soon moved again to a home on Crescent N.E. and then to a home on Meadowfield N.E. Sy and Mary were thrilled to become parents, blessed with four daughters and one son.

Sy’s job at the butcher shop was only the beginning as he eventually purchased the meat market. He used his experience as a cook in the Navy and the recipes he learned there to start a deli in Grand Rapids, it was one of the first deli counters in the city. Eventually his business grew into a partnership and became known as Daane’s Food Markets. Sy later went on to open his own stores called Sy’s Market. He did all his own figuring on a yellow legal pad and he had an astounding memory that allowed him to remember the most minute details of business deals and also numerous product prices.

Work didn’t occupy all of Sy’s time as he also made family time a priority. When their children were young, the family would often spend time boating together, first in Grand Haven and then they later had a larger boat that was docked at a marina on Lake Macatawa in Holland. Faith was an important component to pass on to his children and they were members of the Riverside Christian Reformed Church where Sy served as a deacon and an elder.

There were many things that made Sy the extraordinary man that his family and friends knew and loved. He was a person who always saw the big picture, never letting circumstances rob him of his joy. Sy did not have hobbies that were individual endeavors as he preferred spending his leisure time enjoying activities that his whole family could experience together. Sy and Mary loved to travel in their motor home, traveling many places throughout the United States. After retirement, they purchased a condo in Florida and spent their winters there where they also owned a boat. During his retirement years, Sy went into property management and although he was not actively a part of the day-to-day operations, he loved to stop in the office to oversee what was being done.

Life became more difficult for Sy with the death of his beloved Mary after 56 years of marriage. He maintained his sunny disposition and positive outlook and he continued to go to Florida where he attended Sunlight Community Church and met a lady named Florence (Flossie) Reynolds who lived nearby. What first started out as daily meals she brought to Sy, grew to include dinners out and later, they were married. They continued to spend winters in Florida and summers in Grand Rapids.

Unfortunately, Sy underwent knee surgery which resulted in complications that left him in and out of the hospital over the past few years. A few months ago, he went into Brighton Gardens, where he later passed away.

Simon “Sy” Vander Kooy was a devoted family man who loved spending time with his family above all else. He fostered a spirit of generosity and he established the Sy and Mary Vander Kooy Foundation, assisting numerous people and causes. He was a prominent businessman who grew a small meat market into two successful grocery store chains. Sy enjoyed traveling around the country in his motor home and spending winters in Florida. He will be fondly remembered for his kindness, compassion and humor and will be dearly missed.

Simon Henry (Sy) Vander Kooy of Rockford, MI, died on Wednesday June 24, 2009. Simon’s family includes his wife Florence, his children: Janis Vander Kooy, Susan (Steve) Despres, Debra (Dallas) Montgomery, Brenda Vander Kooy, Brian (Marijane) Vander Kooy, 12 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at his church, Riverside Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Charles Geschiere officiating. Interment will be in Blythefield Memory Gardens. Mr. Vander Kooy reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel where relatives and friends may meet his family Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Please visit

www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to the Luke Society or Fairlawn Baptist Church of Ft. Pierce FL.