John A. de Groot

John A. de Groot of St. Michaels, MD died at his home on Saturday, October 27, 2007. He was 85. He was born in Harrisburg PA on Dec. 24, 1921. He attended college at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC where he earned the Degree of Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch.) in 1943. He stayed in the Washington area where he was employed by several architectural firms specializing in institutional design. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy, from which he received an honorable discharge in 1946. In 1951 he married Marie Hayden of Alexandria Va. Marie and John celebrated their fifty-sixth wedding anniversary in September. In 1952 he established his own architectural practice. His many projects included Little Flower Church in Bethesda, MD, St. Leo’s Church in Fairfax, VA and many custom homes. He was a past member of the American Institute of Architects and held registration certificates in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. During his time in Washington, Mr. de Groot was an active leader in the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Sea Scouts. He was a member of the Little Flower Catholic Church where he served on the parish council. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Merrick Boys Camp and a member of the St. Cecelia Choral Society. In 1968 he became a member of the Miles River Yacht Club which began his association with the Eastern Shore. He served as chairman of the building committee of the Yacht Club. In 1975 he retired from active architectural practice to take a position with the United States Postal Service as a construction cost analyst and construction manager. He held this position until 1985 at which time he retired to St. Michaels MD. During this time he joined the Potomac River Power Squadron, transferring to the Miles River Power Squadron when he came to St. Michaels. He served Miles River Squadron as Assistant Education Officer, Executive Officer, and finally as Commander. As Past Commander he continued to serve in various capacities, including teaching classes in seamanship and navigation where he shared his lifelong passion for sailing. During his years in St. Michaels, he was a member of the Museum Academy of the Arts, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Talbot County Historical Society, and the St. Mary’s Square Museum. He was a charter member of the Herring Island Sailing Association and was also a volunteer at the Oncology Center in Easton. He later served on the Building Committee of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic church. In addition to his wife, Mr. de Groot is survived by three children, Gregory de Groot and his wife Judith of E. Greenwich, RI, John Thomas de Groot and his wife Sylva of Ft. Collins, CO, and Marita Blackwell and her husband Dan of Bear, DE; three brothers, Frederick de Groot of Pittsburgh, PA, Dr. William de Groot of Gavelston, TX, and Joseph de Groot of Centerport Long Island, NY; a sister, Janet Ball of Vienna, VA; six grandchildren, Katharine de Groot, Travers de Groot, Chad Hecker, Anika de Groot, Lauren Blackwell, and Carey Blackwell; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother, Dr. Theodore de Groot. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated for Mr. de Groot on Friday, November 2, 2007 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Mission Church, Cordova, MD. Friends may call on Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Cordova, MD. Memorial donations may be made to Talbot Hospice Foundation, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton, MD 21601.