Whitman – Jon F. Ridder, 75 years old, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday April 15, 2014.
Born in Brockton and raised on the family dairy farm in East Bridgewater, Jon was the husband of the late Judith (Ham) Ridder and father to three daughters: Jennifer Ridder, Jolene Sheehan and Janelle Rotondi. He was the youngest child of George A. and Dorothy B. Ridder, brother of Richard Ridder and Lynne Oakley.
Beginning at an early age, Jon learned the value of hard work. “Work hard, play hard” Jon did both. He was a graduate of UMass Amherst with a degree in Animal Husbandry.
Jon was a generous man supporting many community groups and law enforcement in particular.
Jon’s business ventures were wide and varied. In the 1960s Jon and his family converted the dairy farm to an 18 hole public golf course, Ridder Farm Golf Course and Country Club. Jon held both an IFR airplane pilot license and helicopter license. In 1974 Ridder Air Enterprises was formed. It was not uncommon for golfers to see various aircraft flying into or out of the grass landing strip adjacent to the 11th fairway. R&R Racquetball Club, automotive supply stores on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, construction and gravel operations, towing and marine salvage in Cape Canaveral, FL, an Ocean Spray Cranberry grower, Jon was always busy. Now, may he rest in peace.
Jon is survived by his three daughters and their husbands: Jennifer Ridder, Jolene and David Sheehan, Janelle and Anthony Rotondi all of East Bridgewater; four grandsons Ryan and Matthew Sheehan and Bradley and Connor Rotondi; siblings Richard Ridder, wife Nancy, and Lynne Oakley, husband Donald; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Calling hours will be held in “the old cow barn” Monday April 21 from 1:00-5:30 PM, ending with a memorial service in The Villa, located at the Ridder Country Club, 390 Oak Street (Rte. 14), East Bridgewater, MA 02333. Burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Wounded Warrior Project, Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. www.woundedwarriorproject.org
Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Inc. for online condolences please visit www.blanchardfc.com