Trustee helped to make region ‘a better place’
Business owner Ed Nieuwesteeg operated Patterson funeral home
Ed Nieuwesteeg is being remembered for his generosity, sense of humour and kind spirit.
The former school board trustee, member of many community boards, and co-owner and operator of a local funeral home died April 17. He was 63.
In a post to his Facebook page, Niagara Falls MPP Wayne Gates called Nieuwesteeg an “exceptional member of our community in Niagara.”
“Ed did so much to help families during difficult times and worked so hard in giving back to service organizations, helping make Niagara a better place.”
Nieuwesteeg grew up in Niagara Falls, was a graduate of Notre Dame College School and later Sir Wilfrid Laurier University.
In 1990, he graduated with firstclass honours from Humber College with a diploma in the funeral service education program and was “proud” of receiving the Wilfred Scott Academic Award for the highest grade in anatomy, said his obituary.
In 1997, Nieuwesteeg and his wife, Ruth-Ann, a Niagara Falls city councillor, took over day-today operations of her family’s business, Patterson Funeral Home.
Among the many posts of condolences on Ruth-Ann’s Facebook page was one from Tammy Dabramo, who said her family will “always remember Ed’s kindness, compassion and helpful nature towards us during such a difficult time in our lives.”
“When I told my kids today, they were like, ‘Oh, we loved Ed.’ It’s been 15 years since my kids have seen him, but they always remembered how he treated them both during my dad’s funeral and the funny guy on the football sidelines. Such a nice guy who we will remember fondly, forever.”
Nieuwesteeg’s support for families during difficult times was a theme of several social media posts in recent days.
Nieuwesteeg served on many community boards, most notably as chair of the YMCA for 10 years, as a Niagara Catholic District School Board trustee for 20 years, and recently on the board of Heartland Forest.
Memorial contributions can be made to Heartland Forest, where an accessible playground will be named in his honour.
In a post to its Facebook page, Heartland Forest said Nieuwesteeg was an “avid” supporter of the nature facility. “We will always be thankful for his friendship, guidance and wisdom.”
In an interview, Mayor Jim Diodati said he first got to know Nieuwesteeg when he was serving as chair of the Niagara Falls YMCA on Fourth Avenue.
“Good guy, easy going and quick with a witty comment. True community man and always a big Niagara Falls cheerleader,” he said.
“Ed and Ruth-Ann were synonymous with Patterson Funeral Home as the friendly faces to greet you there.”