Fundholder Spotlight: Larry VanderBaaren
The Larry VanderBaaren Memorial Fund is a fund held at the Brockville and Area Community Foundation and is in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Leeds and Grenville. Following the passing of Larry in November of 2021, his wife, Nancy, and children, Alissa, Luke and Laura have established this memorial fund so he can continue to make an impact in the community.
BBBSLG is a not-for-profit that focuses on fostering mentoring relationships for youth in our community. They provide healthy and safe activity options to kids and facilitate relationships with dependable and consistent adults. The Larry VanderBaaren Fund will continue to grow every year through effective investment strategies and donations and it will grant out annually to BBBSLG. This means our local BBBS can count on incoming grants from this fund each and every year and can more easily budget for the year. This type of a fund provides consistent, long-term, dependable financial relief to this team who works tirelessly to serve the youth in our community.
Larry VanderBaaren was born and raised in Brockville, Ontario. He was an active, engaged and generous community member who was proud to call Brockville home. He was passionate about giving all children the opportunity to participate in our community, especially in sports and activities that could otherwise be out of reach.
In March of 2023, Larry was recognized by the Brockville Chamber of Commerce with the Lifetime Business Achievement Award. The full article can be found here.
Larry was overwhelmingly known as warm, humble, charismatic, generous and kind.
A true gentleman.
The following was submitted by Laura White (VanderBaaren), speaking about her Dad, Larry.
Following our Dad’s passing, our family received hundreds of messages from friends, family and business colleagues, and it was incredible to read the same words coming up again and again: Larry was overwhelmingly known as warm, humble, charismatic, generous and kind. A true gentleman. Countless people referred to him as a mentor, which was a role we knew he took very seriously.
In 1980, Larry and his Dad, Henk, started Hendrix Restaurant Equipment in a small basement office in Brockville. In those days the two of them spent hours together driving around Eastern Ontario, stopping at every hotel and restaurant on the way, in an attempt to build new customer relationships. It was in those early days that he learned, the relationship is more important than the sale, and that kindness doesn’t cost a thing… Two principles that stuck with him for many years.
During our Larry’s 37 years with Hendrix, he built a fun and positive work environment, and led us to a level of success that we never thought possible. In 2012, Hendrix was recognized as one of Canada’s top 50 Best Managed Companies, and in 2019, shortly after he retired, he was honoured with an induction into the Foodservice Equip & Supply industry Hall of Fame. In true Larry form, these awards and recognition were never accepted as a personal achievement, but as a reflection of the hard work of the entire Hendrix Family.
Always a forward-thinker, Larry will be remembered by his colleagues as someone who changed the face of the foodservice industry, through tough (but fair) negotiations, innovation and charismatic leadership. Larry’s mantra of “progress over perfection” helped propel the company through difficult times, and periods of growth.
Larry has long been recognized as an active supporter of our community. While we were growing up, he was often involved in coaching youth sports teams, and contributing to many charitable endeavors, both personally and through his leadership at Hendrix. In his retirement years, Larry was a proud member of the Board of Directors at the Brockville General Hospital, and the Brockville Country Club.
He was, and our family still is, a passionate supporter of our local hospital believing it to be the cornerstone of a healthy community.
When we think about Larry VanderBaaren, we will remember a life well-lived, with countless successes in business and personal life. We will also strive to celebrate his life and legacy. We’ll celebrate his many accomplishments, along with the indelible mark he has left on our family and our community through his unbelievable generosity. The Larry VanderBaaren Memorial Fund will allow him to continue to make an impact on our community.
If you are interested in donating to the Larry VanderBaaren Memorial Fund in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters Leeds and Grenville, please click the button below to navigate to the Donation page. There is a drop down menu to select the Fund you would like to donate to.
