Obituary for Wesley Vandervliet
Wesley Maurice Vandervliet, husband of Anne M. Vandervliet, died Sunday, December 6, 2020. He was born February 27, 1934, in Boston, Massachusetts, son of Maurice Vandervliet and Augusta (Brocker) Vandervliet and lived in Canton since 1962. He graduated from the Mount Hermon Scool in Northfield, Massachusetts, in 1952, received his Bachelors Degree from Brown University in 1956, received his Masters of Arts in Teaching from Harvard University in 1957.
Beginning a long career in public education, he taught at Bloomfield High School from 1963-1968. In 1968 he assumed a Social Studies teaching position at Bulkeley High School in Hartford and became Social Studies Chairman for the city in 1971. Later in his career he became a school administrator, in 1983 becoming House Principal at Fox Middle School and from 1992 - 1994 was Vice Principal at Quirk Middle School when he retired.
His focus on the importance of public education extended beyond his positions in the Hartford Schools. Wes was a longstanding member of the Canton Board of Education from 1975 - 1987 and Chairman 1977 - 1986. Among his many roles as Chairman, he called the roll of Canton High School graduates each June presenting their diplomas, including proudly for his son Brock in 1986. Wes was also passionate about being on the water all of his life, whether canoeing on lakes in northern New England or sailing catboats in Little Narragansett Bay.
Wes is survived by his wife, Anne, and his son, Brock Vandervliet, his daughter-in-law, Marica McKeel Vandervliet of New York, brother, W. Glenn Vandervliet, of Vernon, Vermont, sister-in-law, Jane Spangler, of Pennsylvania, and nephew, James H. S. Pierson III, of Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one's favorite charity. Funeral arrangements are private. The Vincent Funeral Home of Canton is caring for the arrangements. Please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.
Beginning a long career in public education, he taught at Bloomfield High School from 1963-1968. In 1968 he assumed a Social Studies teaching position at Bulkeley High School in Hartford and became Social Studies Chairman for the city in 1971. Later in his career he became a school administrator, in 1983 becoming House Principal at Fox Middle School and from 1992 - 1994 was Vice Principal at Quirk Middle School when he retired.
His focus on the importance of public education extended beyond his positions in the Hartford Schools. Wes was a longstanding member of the Canton Board of Education from 1975 - 1987 and Chairman 1977 - 1986. Among his many roles as Chairman, he called the roll of Canton High School graduates each June presenting their diplomas, including proudly for his son Brock in 1986. Wes was also passionate about being on the water all of his life, whether canoeing on lakes in northern New England or sailing catboats in Little Narragansett Bay.
Wes is survived by his wife, Anne, and his son, Brock Vandervliet, his daughter-in-law, Marica McKeel Vandervliet of New York, brother, W. Glenn Vandervliet, of Vernon, Vermont, sister-in-law, Jane Spangler, of Pennsylvania, and nephew, James H. S. Pierson III, of Delaware.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to one's favorite charity. Funeral arrangements are private. The Vincent Funeral Home of Canton is caring for the arrangements. Please visit www.vincentfuneralhome.com