Joop F. Hoekstra

PEABODY - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Joop F. Hoekstra, at the Kaplan Family Hospice House on March 16th, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. 

A distinguished engineer and beloved member of the community. Born on April 19, 1941, in Houten, the Netherlands, Joop embarked on a remarkable journey that led him to the United States, where he established a successful career as a mechanical engineer. After earning his Mechanical Engineering degree from Hoge Technische School in Utrecht, Joop's passion and dedication propelled him to further academic achievements. He moved to the United States in 1967 for his first job at Dynatech in Cambridge MA. He began as a designer eventually moving to design consulting for multiple firms as his career progressed. His innovative work in the field resulted in several patents, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in mechanical engineering.

An adventurer at heart, Joop found solace and joy in sailing on his beloved sailboat "La Brisa" as well as embarking on 17 Holland America cruises across the waters of both the United States and Europe. His love for exploration extended beyond the seas, as he frequently traveled, immersing himself in diverse cultures and experiences. He loved listening to classical music, had an encyclopedic knowledge of history and spoke five languages. He found the fun in everything he did and the joy in the little things and loved sharing his passions with his family and friends. He laughed loudly and often, and his unfiltered and silly humor will be greatly missed by those who knew him.

A dedicated Father and Grandfather he derived much pride from the accomplishments of his grandchildren and was often present for events and performances. His hobbies included architecture and furniture making and as a love language, he took great joy in doing home projects for his daughters which always meant a lovely long weekend stay and a new light fixture, appliance installation or paint job. While raising his children in Medfield, MA, with his former wife, Magali, he built on large additions to their family home, from his own design, and filled its rooms with beautiful custom furniture.

Joop's legacy lives on through his daughters, Marcella Hoekstra, and Monique Hoekstra Iken, who were a constant source of pride and joy in his life. His unwavering commitment to his family and his unwavering spirit will forever be remembered by all those who had the privilege of knowing him and he will always be an inspiration on how to live a fulfilling, happy, exciting, and daring life filled with adventures, curiosity, gratifying work and sharing the best of times with the ones you love.

Joop is survived by his life partner, Rachel Smalley of Peabody, his daughters Monique Hoekstra Iken and her husband Greg Pignataro of Monroe, CT, and Marcella Hoekstra of Portsmouth, NH, along with grandchildren US Army Specialist Ryan Iken of Monroe, CT, Colin Iken of Monroe, CT, USMC Lance Corporal Joseph Iken of Monroe, CT, and Pearl Hoekstra-Toste of Portsmouth, NH, along with his brothers Tjeerd Hoekstra, Henk Hoekstra, and Jos Hoekstra, and several nieces and nephews.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral Mass which will be held at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St, Danvers, MA on Monday, April 1st and 10 A.M. Please meet at the church. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St. (Rte. 62) DANVERS. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Joop's memory to either https://courageoussailing.org, https://www.caredimensions.org or to https://donate.cancer.org. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com. 

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