Cornelis “Cees” de Waart

Cornelis “Cees” de Waart, age 87 of Gainesville, formerly of Demorest, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.

Born on November 29, 1936, in Marken, Netherlands, he was the son of the late Pieter and Neeltje Kaars-de Waart. 

Cees worked for Stork Food Machinery for 44 years.  He relocated to the U.S. from the Netherlands for his job.  He traveled extensively for work, and with his wife for pleasure.  They have lived in Kentucky, New Jersey, Georgia, and Florida.  At the end of his life, he and his wife, Jannie settled in Gainesville, GA, in their final home in the Smoky Springs Retirement Community, close to their children.

Cees is preceded in death by his parents, Pieter de Waart and Neeltje Kaars-de Waart; brothers, Hein and Pieter de Waart; grandson, Sean Evan de Waart; and granddaughter Sonia Erin de Waart.

Cees is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jannie de Waart; brother, Klaas de Waart who lives in Holland; children, Pieter de Waart (his wife, LuAnn and their son, Colin), Tina de Waart, Louise Nauman (her husband, Dave and their daughter, Alexis Thrower (her husband, Stephen), and daughter, Ashley), Jan de Waart (his wife, Cindy and their daughter, Anna), Erna Dowdy (her husband, Hal, and their daughter, D.J. Fortner (her husband, Brian and their son, Matthew)), daughter, Carmin Allen (her husband, Kyler and their sons, Kam and Kash), daughter, Christine Sledge (her husband, Jacob), son, Adam (his wife, Jessica), and son, Brett;  and Norman de Waart (his wife, Tonya and their sons, Conner and Brandon).

Memorial services are 2 pm on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church Gainesville with Rev. Lee Koontz and Pastor Mike Franklin officiating.

A reception will follow the service in the Parlor of the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church Gainesville, Music Program, 800 S. Enota Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30501; (770/532-0136); www.fpcga.org/giving

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706-778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.