About Neil Vanderkruk
Born in Holland, Neil and his family settled in Hamilton, Ont., in 1952, where he eventually began working for Connon Nurseries. In 1986, the company was divided into three separate businesses: A.V.K. Nursery Holdings, C.B. Vanderkruk Holdings, and Neil Vanderkruk Holdings. All three are still successful businesses today.
Neil Vanderkruk Holdings grew to become one of Canada's largest wholesale nurseries, serving customers throughout Canada and the Northeastern United States.
Neil credits some of the company's success with his involvement in Landscape Ontario. One of the early driving forces behind Landscape Ontario, Neil served as the association's president from 1988 to 1989, and has been a long-time member of the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation. He is also one of a select group of honorary life members.
Landscape Ontario executive director Tony DiGiovanni recalls his first contact with Neil: “A phone call in 1989 from Neil changed my life direction,” DiGiovanni said. “The phone call to work for LO came out of nowhere. Neil asked if I was interested in working as the Executive Director of Landscape Ontario. I told him I was not interested, because I loved my job at Humber College. He kept after me and I was flattered. When I told my Dean that I was approached, he told me to try the job risk free for a year because if I did not like it, I would only be a better teacher because of the industry connections.”
After Neil's passing, DiGiovanni wrote: "In everyone’s life there are special individuals of influence. They change your perspective, provide guidance, mentor and inspire. They encourage, support and challenge you. They act as a role model and change your life for the better. One of those individuals for me was Neil Vanderkruk. Neil was special. He was unique. He was kind, considerate and empathetic. He cared deeply about his family, his church, his community, his profession and his trade organization. Neil was a great mentor. He had more faith in my ability than I had. He was always complimentary and encouraging."
DiGiovanni and all those who worked with Neil know the high standards and values that made Neil such a unique individual. It is those values we wish to pass on to future generations via the creation of the Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Neil has left a legacy of benefit. His wisdom, vision, spirit and memory will live on in the thousands of people he has touched. He was truly a community builder. The profession and the world is a better place because of his many contributions and we ask that you also contribute to his legacy by supporting the Neil Vanderkruk Memorial Scholarship Fund.