Freddy Van Zonneveld

Freddy Van Zonneveld

December 13, 1948 ~ October 26, 2022

Date of Service:
November 05, 2022

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Long-time Vero Beach resident, Fred Van Zonneveld, passed away peacefully at home on October 26, 2022, at age 73 with family by his side.

He was born in Pahokee, FL on December 13, 1948, to Cory and Bill Van Zonneveld who had immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands earlier in 1948.

Fred grew up in Vero Beach, FL and graduated from Vero Beach High School in 1966 and LaGrange College in 1970.

Known for his infectious laugh, big smile, and easy conversation, he cherished his deep and lasting friendships over the years.  He was a true friend to others and enjoyed their reciprocity in friendship.

Sports, gardening, cooking, and entertaining were Fred’s passions. He was an avid sportsman, including pickle ball, tennis, golf, boating, and water skiing. He was also a passionate gardener,  winning praise for his beautiful gardens where he loved to entertain and host family and friends.

Fred was predeceased by his parents and his youngest brother, Paul.  He is survived by his son Will Van Zonneveld (Kelsey), and grandchildren, Arya, and Noah.

In addition, he is survived by his sisters Olske Forbes of Vero Beach and Birgit Robbert (Al) of Arlington, VA, and his brother Hans (Dede) Van Zonneveld of Vero Beach; nieces Beth Forbes of Greenwich, CT, and Lieske Renz of Arlington, VA; and nephews Bo Forbes of Vero Beach and Drew Robbert of Alexandria, VA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Fred’s memory to Hospice or the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

A service celebrating Fred’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach.

Arrangements are by Thomas S. Lowther Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach.


Date of Service:
November 05, 2022

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Condolence

Jacquie Brown

October 28, 2022, 4:21 pm

Sorry for your loss. I think I Met him once on my childhood as my mother worked for Cory. jacquie Bozarth Brown

Tracy L. Boyles Feuge - Beth’s aunt.

October 28, 2022, 4:33 pm

Sincere condolences to the family. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

Kathy Lindegren - Friend

October 28, 2022, 7:30 pm

Freddy Van Zonneveld: The Love of my life!! He was such a Wonderful person, and so much fun to be with . I am devastated that he has passed. My thoughts and prayers to his wonderful family .

Glenn Black - Cousin

October 28, 2022, 7:38 pm

Glenn and Cindy Black-Fred’s cousin so sorry to hear about Fred sure going to miss him had a lot of laughs with Fred when we were with him he was a great cousin

Pam Cooper Tinney - Friend & classmate

October 28, 2022, 11:01 pm

Condolences to his family. Freddy will be missed.

Emma Stevens - Friend

October 29, 2022, 12:16 am

I went to school with Fred. He was a great guy. I’m very saddened by his death. May he Rest in Peace…

Esther Joosa - Cousin

October 29, 2022, 11:28 am

I am Fred’s cousin from Singapore – so sad to hear of his passing – no matter where one lives there is always an special bond among cousins – Rest In Peace dear Fred

Lynne Scharfschwerdt-Glass - Classmate

October 29, 2022, 11:34 am

My deepest thoughts and prayers are with the Von Zonneveld family for your loss of Freddy. We walked the halls of VBHS together and I remember how popular and handsome Freddy was! RIP Freddy

Pam Tinney - Friend & classmate

October 29, 2022, 12:43 pm

Condolences to the family. Freddy will be missed.

Judy Martin - Friend

October 29, 2022, 9:27 pm

Many memories of Freddy from years ago during the Volunteer Ambulance shifts. Prayers to his family members during this difficult time.

Pamela Neach Vocelle - Friend

October 29, 2022, 10:07 pm

Family and Friends- Our prayers, Love Thoughts with y’all at this sorrowful time- My Family and I have known Fred for many years always so fun to be around- many fond memories, GOD BLESSINGS for all Pamela Neach Vocelle

Larry Greene - Friend & classmate

October 30, 2022, 1:54 am

Fred was a great friend and classmate. Shared a lot of fun and awesome times with him. He will be missed.

Tracy Moolenaar Walker - Cusion

October 30, 2022, 3:11 pm

So sorry for your loss. Hope you all are doing well!

Lin Reading - Friend and neighbor

October 30, 2022, 4:32 pm

So sad to hear about Freddy. He was a great neighbor and friend. My deepest condolences to the family. Love to his family. ❤️❤️❤️

Patricia Via Lovingood - Friend

October 30, 2022, 6:48 pm

I met Fred through one of my close friends in high school, (Betsy) , which became even better friends at IRCC, was a bridesmaid in their wedding, we all rode bikes over the drawbridge to the beach, had many great times boating in the Indian River at Ski Island & at the Sebastian Inlet. We would stop at an Island & cook oysters over a fire that the guys just found out of the River. I do remember he was the best water skier I had ever seen, when he would drop that ski & “barefoot it”, we were definitely impressed! He loved to show off that he was that good too! So his young life living in “Zero Beach” was actually a lot of fun & I think he loved it being surrounded by his friends and all the beauty of the Ocean & the Indian River. He was known for his beautiful smile which in my opinion he passed down to his son since when Will was born I instantly saw his smile in him as a little baby. It’s never a good time to leave but I guess everyone has their own particular special time so I pray he is resting in peace, I pray for Will and family & his other family members to cherish the good times and know his Dad will be wanting all the best for all of them.

Simon Willem Moolenaar - Family (cousin)

October 30, 2022, 7:17 pm

Dear Family; condolences with the passing away of Fred. I remember Fred from about 40 years ago, teaching me to water-ski and impressing us doing it bare-foot himself. The last time we met was about 30 years ago; I remember him as a gentle and friendly man. I wish the family strength and our thoughts are with you. Love, Simon Moolenaar, the Netherlands

Suzy Liddell - Friends

October 30, 2022, 10:53 pm

Our deepest sympathy to the family and his children and grandchildren. We have known Freddy for many years and he was always happy and so caring especially to his sister olske. Rest In Peace Pete and Suzy Liddell

Lee carlton - Friend

October 31, 2022, 11:33 pm

Was so sad to hear of Freddy passing our families have been friends for as long as I can remember, can even remember going to your house when we were just young kids in the late 50s and early 60s oh so long ago when our families first met for friends gathering always had lots of fun and from then on used to bump in to Freddy once in a while, downtown or somewhere unfortunately we all get so busy in life seems like hadn’t seen fred since Cory’s passing , my sincere condolences to all the family , thanking about you – rest in peace Freddy, Lee Carlton

Joni Crane - Close friend of family.

November 1, 2022, 2:19 am

Condolences to Will, Olske, Fred’s entire family and those he held dear to his heart. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. Fred was loved by so many and his passing will be a great loss forever. Fred Van Zonneveld’s memory will live on with all of us. I met Fred many years ago, through a close friend. I was working a promotion and they were having fun giving me a hard time. Eventually, we all hung out for many years. Over the years, Fred became like a brother to me as well as a best friend, always checking on me and looking out for my welfare and best interest. His laughter was contagious and he was always fun to be around. He did love to party and due to the distance, he ended up on my sofa many more times than I can count. He always made my children laugh while we hung out in my backyard or the beach. We never got to see him waterski but he fascinated all of us with his skiing barefoot stories. Fred was such a beautiful man inside and out; it was hard not to love him if you knew him well. My deepest sympathy to his family and everyone who is hurting. My own heart is breaking but we all know that he is in a better place with a perfectly healthy body again, along with his special soul. The last thing he said to me was “I will see you in heaven”. This last week I sat with him, he was mumbling but obviously knew I was there because he kept squeezing my hand and each time I thought he was falling asleep, he would squeeze my hand not wanting me to leave. We never talked about our beliefs but his words gave me peace because I knew he believed. I kissed his forhead and told him how much everyone loved him. That’s when he fell asleep. Rest in peace my good friend.

John Sullivan - Lisa’s (first cousin) husband

November 2, 2022, 8:41 pm

I only had the chance to get to know him last year when he came and stayed with us for a week here in North Carolina. We had a great time, he was a fun person to be with, a good sense of humor, and very thoughtful. I wish I had gotten to really know him earlier but those opportunities were fleeting. My sincerest condolences to the whole family he was so proud of. We will certainly miss him. Rest in peace Fred.

Lisa Sullivan - Cousin

November 2, 2022, 8:48 pm

Fred was my cousin and a bit older than me. My Uncle Bill and Aunt Cory would always host the best family reunions at their house. We lived in Palm Beach county and it was a drive to Vero. I always thought he was so cool and cute. It wasn’t until lately that I got to know Fred better. Last year he decided to visit us in NC and we had a great time in the mountains and at the lake. We reminisced about old Van Zonn picnics and old times. He was the nicest and sweetest person ever. I wish we had more times like those before last year. Rest In Peace cousin Fred until we meet again. You were loved by many and will be missed.

Gary Van Zonneveld - cousin

November 4, 2022, 1:31 pm

Fred was my cousin and as my sister Lisa said, a little bit older than I. Those few years make a difference when you are young, so I got to know him even better as I got older, too. We would see Fred and the Vero Van Zonns during family events, sometimes in Vero and sometimes in West Palm. It was always good to get together. It must be a Van Zonneveld trait, but Fred seemed to have the same easy going personality that I saw in my father and in my uncles. I always saw him in a good mood and never in a bad one. Over the last few years, he would occasionally drop by my house either going north through Melbourne on A-1-A or on the way back. It was always a welcome visit. Fred will truly be missed.

David Albrecht - Friend

November 5, 2022, 12:54 pm

Freddy, we will miss your kind, friendly Spirit and your warm smiles. R.I.P. Ol’Friend; you will be missed.

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