Jacob "Jake" DeGroot, Sr., 90, of Derry, NH, died Saturday December 4, 2010 at Parkland Medical Center in Derry. He was born in Medford, MA on December 22, 1919, a son of Gerrit and Teuntje (Merijon) DeGroot, and had been a resident of Derry since 1937, formerly living in N. Reading, MA. Jake was a US Army veteran serving during WWII. He was the owner and operator of Jake's Auto in Derry since opening in 1961 until his retirement, and was a member of the NH Towing Assoc. Jake was instrumental in procuring Veterans license plates for NH. He was an East Derry Fire Dept. volunteer for many years, serving as a Lieutenant, and helped orchestrate the building of the E. Derry Fire Station. Jake also helped to found the Boys Club of Greater Derry. He was extremely proud of his lawns and gardens, and enjoyed league bowling, building fine furniture and spending time with his family.
He is survived by three sons, Jacob DeGroot, Jr. of Hedgesville, WV, John DeGroot of Gilford, NH, and Robert DeGroot of Auburn, NH; three daughters, Eileen Cox of Derry, Carol Fontaine of St. Petersburg, FL, and Ellie M. Douville of Merrimack, NH; ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; as well as his sister, Harmina Shea of Derry. He was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor "Dolly" DeGroot in 1994.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday, December 8th from 4 - 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. Funeral services were held on Thursday at 10:00am in the funeral home. The burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Professional Firefighters of Derry, PO Box 757, Derry, NH 03038.