John (Jack) VanDerLaan Jr., age 82 of Oxford, entered into peaceful rest on November 21, 2025, after a long courageous battle with multiple illnesses. Jack was born in New York, NY
on July 16, 1943; he was the son of the late Ruth (Tingley) and John VanDerLaan Sr. Jack was predeceased by the love of his life, Linda VanDerLaan, to whom he was married for 60 years.
Together, they raised a beautiful family and ran a successful business, Van’s Catering Service, Inc., on Park Road in Oxford. Jack’s family was his priority for his whole life. He loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren with all his heart and they all loved him in return.
Business was his passion, and he excelled in business from a very young age. He started a soda delivery business when he was in high school. Delivering bottles of soda to homes and businesses after school.
Van’s Catering Service is where he really excelled. Building a solid business, employing many people and supporting his community in good times and bad. He is remembered fondly by former employees, friends, and members of the community, whose lives he had touched.
He had a fierce determination to succeed, coupled with the ability to find creative solutions to complex problems. Attributes that are shared by all successful businessmen.
Jack leaves behind his loving family including his son John VanDerLaan, III and his wife Maria of Naples, Florida; his son William F. VanDerLaan of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his grandchildren, John VanDerLaan and his wife Hannah, Michael VanDerLaan and his wife Allie, Julia VanDerLaan, Bill VanDerLaan and his wife Michelle, and Brandon VanDerLaan. He also leaves his sister Ruth Nached of Summerfield, Florida, and many friends.
A Memorial Service in celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025 at 3pm DIRECTLY in the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour, CT. Memorial Gifts may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph E. Hull Funeral Home, 161 West Church Street, Seymour, CT 06483. Please share a memory at www.hullfh.com