Marinus Vander Pol, Jr. “Butch,” age 69, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2013. He was a loving husband and father. He is loved by his wife, Mary D. Vander Pol of 45 years. He leaves behind five children: Melissa, Marinus, Melodie, Matthew and Marijka as well as 11 grandchildren.
Butch enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He loved his job and was not only an employee of Tabor Academy, but was devoted to the school’s community as well. He grew plant material for Tabor and was a commercial grower of shade trees and ornamental plants as the owner of Vander Pol Nurseries, Inc. He enjoyed working alongside his friend and colleague, Don Wing, in the effort to continually improve the landscape design of the Tabor campus. Butch and his wife enjoyed attending athletic events that took place on the various fields for which he created design layouts.
Butch was a Sergeant E5 in the US Army. He was a US Army Vietnam War Veteran.
Butch was a graduate of University of Massachusetts Amherst and was a Registered Landscape Architect. He was most recently employed by Tabor Academy’s Plant Operations Department. He was a member of the American Nurseryman’s Association, New England Nurseryman’s Association and the Massachusetts Nurseryman’s Association. He exhibited in the Kiwanis Club of New Bedford, Inc. annual spring flower shows. He both exhibited in and won the President’s Cup at the New England Flower Shows in Boston, MA.
Butch was an active resident in the town of Fairhaven, MA. Butch had many dear friends in the town, but valued his long-lasting friendship with his friend and political mentor, Ray Fleurent. Butch was a Town Meeting member. He served as Chairman of the Conservation Commission and Vice-Chairman of the Planning Board with a combined service time of more than 50 years. He was a member of the Town Forest Committee, an Associate Member of the Historical Commission and was appointed to Special Police. Butch was an active member of Rotary Club. He was also a Cub Master for his oldest son’s Cub Scout troop.
Butch’s immediate family will celebrate his life with private services. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed in support of Brain Tumor Research. Donations can be sent to: Brain Tumor Center, Shapiro Building 868, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215.
“We will miss that unique combination of talents, along with his sense of humor, intelligence and common sense. He was a humble man and a wonderful person.”