Hendricus "Henk" Baaij Sr. 98 passed peacefully at his home in Savannah, GA. Friday 08 Nov 2024. Born in Amsterdam the Netherlands on 22 Dec 1925, he grew up along with seven siblings. Henk was the 3rd oldest. His father was Gerrit Baaij and mother Geertruida Maria (Truss) van Oostrom, both of Amsterdam. Henk survived the Nazi German invasion of the Netherlands during WW II, Henk was along with 500,000 Dutch citizens taken to forced civilian labor prison camps. Following the war Henk found employment with a Dutch commodity firm as a coffee buyer, traveling internationally to sample beans for roasting. A work opportunity in 1952 brought Henk to New York, NY.

Henk decided to stay and became a citizen of the United States of America in 1954. Here Henk met and married Catherine King of Great Neck, NY in 1956, they had three children Anne-Marie (passed 18 Mar 1965), Hendricus Jr. and Christopher. Hendricus Jr. married Dorothy Jane Adler, they have 2 children Sareya Barrett and Alexander William Halley. Sareya is married to Jean Paul Hoke; they have two children Mason William and Liliana Rose.

Professionally, Henk transitioned from purchasing to accounting and finance with this same company until his retirement in 1986 as VP Finance Manufacturing Division. Henk lived in New York, NY, Great Neck, NY, Barrington, IL, and Savannah GA. Golf was his passion, both viewing and playing. A Bridge player, he achieved the rank of "Gold Life Master" within the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). Henk continued his interest in global travel during retirement. Henk's spirit is with our family, he will be well remembered.