Reverend Joseph A. DeGroote (STH ’64)
Reverend Joseph A. De Groote, 83, of Vero Beach, FL passed away on March 29, 2021. He was born in New York state. He attended high school at Onondaga Valley Academy and earned his Bachelor of Science at SUNY Cortland. He next attended Seminary at Boston University, receiving his Master of Sacred Theology. Joseph served churches in Central New York including McGraw, Delphi Falls, and Auburn.
In 1970 he embarked on a second career with the YMCA. Joseph was asked to be Physical Director of the Malden, Massachusetts Y which led to being Fitness Director of the Cambridge Y. Later he became Camp Director of Camp Fuller in Providence, RI. Following Camp Fuller, he became the Executive Director of the Armed Services Y in Newport, RI. for six years. After a short time in Passiac-Clifton, NJ, he then served as Executive Director at the Fulton Y in upstate New York.
In 1992 he returned to the ministry, serving Methodist churches in Clayton, Depauville and Grindstone Island. While in Clayton, he also served as president of the Lions Club and played in both the regular and senior golf leagues at the C-Way. He married Tonia in 1994. Upon retiring in 2000, Joseph and Tonia became residents of Florida.
Joseph was very active in retirement. He was a visiting Pastor for the St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church and a volunteer chaplain at the Indian River Medical Center. He enjoyed playing baseball with the Codgers and golf with the Vista Plantation golf league. For three years he led a team of ushers at Riverside Theater. In 2003, he and Tonia joined the C.B. Willis Chapter of the YMCA Alumni and served as co-presidents from 2014 to 2016.
Joseph’s biggest love was ballroom dancing – he even taught a few classes up north. He greatly enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, sailing and his annual hunting trips on Grindstone Island. He could often be found in his workshop – with many a household project or building his HO model train layout. He was a member of the Vero Beach Model Railroaders.
He is survived by his wife, Tonia; son Stephen and daughter Joanne (Fred), granddaughter Cate; stepdaughter Lisa, grandsons Nick and Jack; stepson Michael (Michelle), grandsons Ted, Zach and Gabe; siblings Peter; Martha; Margaret. Preceded in death by half-brother Robert and sister Mary; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Also survived by his former wife, Patricia.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church on April 17th at 1:00. The use of social distancing and masks will be followed. Please call the church office at 772-770-3494 to make a reservation for seating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the music department at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 475 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach, FL 32968.
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This obituary was originally published here, by Cox Gifford Sea Winds.