Pieter Johannes Hoets, a resident of Darien, CT for the past 31 years, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2014, at Stamford Hospital, Stamford CT. He was 93 years old and remained active until his last days.
He lived a full and vigorous life: He was born in The Netherlands, a veteran of World War II, an attorney, a naturalized U.S. citizen, and a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather.
Starting life's journey, Pieter was born on April 24, 1921 in The Hague, The Netherlands. He was the second child of the late Pieter P. H. Hoets and the late Jeannette Hoets- Semster of The Hague and formerly of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. His older brother was the late Dr. Hendrik W. Hoets of Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
Pieter grew up in The Hague, The Netherlands and attended The Netherlands Lyceum high school. After graduating high school, he studied law at the University of Leiden, completing his L.L.M. law degree shortly after the outbreak of World War II.
After WWII from 1947 - 1949, he attended Yale Law School, in New Haven, CT and obtained a Masters in Law. He returned to The Netherlands and worked in the legal department of K.L.M. Royal Dutch Airlines.
In 1953, he married Geertjen De Decker of The Hague. The next year, Pieter, Geertjen, and their young son Hendrik immigrated to the United States, where they eventually naturalized as American citizens in 1961. Their second son, Anthony, was born in Cleveland, Ohio. At the University School, Shaker Heights, Ohio, Pieter taught Latin and history, while he completed legal studies at the Cleveland Marshall Law School, obtaining a Juris Doctor degree (cum laude) in preparation for the Ohio State Bar exam.
Sharing his time, energy, and knowledge, Pieter was an active member in several associations and clubs. He was the former president of The Netherland Club of New York, N.Y., the former president of the Anne Frank Center, New York, N.Y., and was a member of the Netherland - America Foundation, New York, N.Y. In addition, he was a member of the Tokeneke Club, Darien, CT, the Darien Senior Men's Club, the Special Forces Club, London, England, and The Hague Cricket and Soccer Club. In his most cherished association, he was an active member of the Englandvaarders Association; the group of Dutch men and women who escaped Nazi occupied Holland and joined the Allies to carry on the fight against the tyranny of Nazi Germany.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Geertjen Hoets - De Decker of Darien, CT - their marriage spanned 61 years - and his two sons, Hendrik P. Hoets of Westport, CT, and Anthony W. Hoets of New York, N.Y., and two grandchildren Jeannette U. Hoets, and Pieter B. Hoets. In addition, he is survived by his nephew, Pieter, A. Hoets of New Canaan, CT, and niece, Hetteke Hoets of Amsterdam, and their respective children including Erik, Paul, and Anniek,
Pieter's life serves as an inspiration and example for all of us. Family, friends, and neighbors will always remember Pieter's good nature, optimism, determination, smile, and laughter.
On September 6, 2014, a private memorial service will be held for Pieter J. Hoets, in Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to Darien EMS Post 53, P.O. Box 2066, Darien, CT 06820.