William H. Zwaan, Jr.
November 6, 2022 West Grove, PA "Bill"William H. Zwaan, Jr., age 87 of West Grove, PA, passed away Sunday, November 6, 2022, at Chester County Hospital. He was the husband of Margaret Mary “Peg” Meehan Zwaan, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage.
Bill served our country as a member of the United States Navy. He worked for PECO as an Electric Mechanic for 30 years. After retiring at 55, Bill went to college and earned his Bachelor’s degree. Despite suffering from a stroke during his studies, Bill graduated on time with a degree in Psychology.
Bill was a longtime member of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish and a devout Catholic. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and an active Scout member for 30 years. Bill was even awarded the Silver Beaver from the Boy Scouts of America.
Bill was a kind man with a quiet strength. He deeply loved his wife, Peg, and referred to her as the “Peg of my heart”. Bill always felt that he and Peg were meant to be together. They loved to camp together and traveled in their RV around the United States. The two got along so well that the pair led marriage counseling workshops through the Catholic church.
Bill enjoyed fishing, the Phillies and had a soft spot for animals. Most of all, Bill loved his wife and family. He will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
In addition to his wife, Peg, Bill is survived by sons, Robert, Thomas (Shannon) and Daniel (Wendy) Zwaan; daughters, M. Mary and Kathleen Zwaan; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and a great great grandchild; several nieces and nephews; as well as his dog, Lizzie.
Bill was preceded in death by two sons, William H. Zwaan, III and Michael Zwaan; and his sister, Joan Cuff.
You are invited to visit with Bill’s family and friends from 9:30AM to 11:15AM on Friday, November 11, 2022 at ABVM Parish, 300 State Rd, West Grove, PA 19390. Mass will begin at 11:30AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Noah’s Ark Rescue Project and Sanctuary, PO Box 301, Uwchland, PA 19480. Arrangements by Foulk Funeral Home of West Grove, PA.
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November 11, 2022 9:30AM to 11:15AM ABVM Parish300 State Road
West Grove, PA 19390
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November 11, 2022 11:30AM ABVM Parish300 State Road
West Grove, PA 19390
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Got the short time . To talk to Bill. On Facebook. It was so cool that he look me up to to see how I was doing. He was my leader. Troop 54. He taught me how to make rope how to use it and I still use it today Philmont New Mexico with Bill was the best time of my life thanks Bill rest in peace May Angels watch you sleep
“HYMN OF THE EVENING
“O joyful Light!
Light and Holy Glory of the Father immortal, the heavenly, holy, the Blessed One;
O Jesus Christ.
Now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father + Son, and Holy Spirit.
It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, O Son of God, the giver of life.
Behold the universe sings your glory.”
I sing an evening hymn of praise that you are out of pain, reunited with dear family, and with Our Father.
I love you Uncle Bill. Remember, “You saved my life.”
Cathy
At this moment I exist somewhere between the pain of your passing and the joy of your life. I always thought I would see you again. It pains me that I wasn’t there to hold your hand and kiss your forehead as you left us. I am grateful however that you are no longer in pain as you ascend into the Kingdom of God and every lasting peace and comfort. I am proud and grateful to call you “Pop” and to have realized through this journey of life that the gifts you gave me far exceeded the material and monetary that, for a time, I believed I wanted and needed from you…you gave me faith, strength, courage and love which enabled me to face life’s challenges and succeed as you did. You believed in me when I had all but given up on myself, you loved me when I was incapable of loving myself and that made all the difference. As a boy, like many little boys, I saw you as a super hero who would live forever and I now realize how right I was…you will live on in all the lives you touched, in all the parts of you that you shared with so many. I am heartbroken at your loss but I am so very grateful and honored to have had you for so long. I will love you and miss you for the remainder of my days. God Bless Pop.
Profound words Margie. We mourn your father’s passing, yet we know that he is resting in his eternal comfort. I have many fond memories of your father and he was a powerful and positive influence on so many of us. Rest in peace William Zwaan.
My father lost his father in WWII when he was just a boy of 10 years old and his sister was just 7 years old so it is full circle that he, the last surviving member of his family of origin, will be put to rest on this Veteran’s Day. My father finally got to visit his own father’s gravesite in Belgium after his retirement when he himself was in his 60’s. He described it as a deeply heartfelt moment of pride, loss and compassion that allowed him a sense of reunification with the father he lost in a tragic event that awarded his father a Bronze Star for valor as he traded his own life in order to rescue a brother-in-arms who had been wounded on that frozen & bloody WWII battlefield in Belgium. Now that my father is being laid to rest he can finally find peace at being reunited with his original source of life, his loving parents. My brothers Bill and Mike will undoubtedly welcome their father to the afterlife and he will have several guides to help him along his journey across the river to that other mysterious side of life. My father led a good life and traveled around the country with my Mom in their camping rig for about a decade after his retirement living the American Dream. I celebrate his life and I am relieved that he is unburdened of the suffering he endured in his final days. He faced his physical suffering with quiet courage and was ultimately grateful to my sister, Kathleen, and her son, Andrew, his beloved grandson, for the care and compassion they extended to him during his illness, despite the hardships they endured throughout that process. My father left this world surrounded by those who loved him best and for that I’ll be unceasingly grateful. May God love his soul and bless and keep him eternally in his loving care. May all our family burdens be released and transformed into wisdom and compassion as we celebrate and remember his life with us all during our time together nurtured by our shared Mother Earth. Namaste. 🙏🏼
Thank you Bill for passing through my life right at the perfect time. Thank you for sharing your wise counseling. Rest In Peace!!! Signed – former Yeadonite! 😊