Klaas Wietze De Waard Obituary (1944

Avon - February 18, 2025 at age 80. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Aartje (Van Essen) de Waard; son Steven (Sharon) de Waard; daughter Emily (Michael) Cochrane; grandchildren Jacob, Katrien, and Cameron de Waard, Sean and Ellie Cochrane; his brother Renne (Tanneke) de Waard; his sister Addy (Willem) Hollander; several nieces and nephews; and many friends. Klaas was born in Grijpskerk, The Netherlands to Jannes and Jacoba de Waard in 1944. He was a Dutch AFS exchange student and graduated from Avon NY Class of 1963. After marrying his wife Aartje in 1969, Klaas became a banker and worked in a variety of branches (Marine Midland, HSBC and Community Bank) across the Rochester NY area for over forty years. While working, Klaas spent eight years at night school at Rochester Institute of Technology where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business. He was a dedicated 50-year member of Avon Lions Club where he served two terms as its President and ran the Club's Loan Closet program. Klaas loved to help others and often volunteered around the Avon community. He will be forever missed as a man of integrity, a dry sense of humor and a loving husband, father and grandfather (Opa). Family and friends are invited to call from 4 to 7p.m. Sunday February 23rd 2025 at the Stephenson-Dougherty Funeral Home, 350 Genesee St., Avon. At 11a.m. Monday February 24th his funeral will be held at Central Presbyterian Church, 133 Genesee St, Avon. Private interment will be at Avon Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Avon Food Pantry (108 Prospect St., Avon, NY 14414) and the Avon Lions Club Loan Closet (P.O. Box 293, Avon, NY 14414) in his memory.