Hendrik Wilfred Grootfaam, age 90, of Orlando, FL transitioned home to be with our Lord on Monday, October 21, 2019 at Advent Health East Orlando Hospital.

Hendrik was born on July 26, 1929 in Commewijne, Suriname, son of the late Cornelius and Josephina (Kortstam) Grootfaam. Hendrik enjoyed talking about growing up on the Commewijne River and taking a boat to go to school or visit other family member, how he left Suriname to move to Guyana, met his wife and got married. Hendrik was a carpenter, who built his own house in Guyana with his wife Theresa (Yaw) Grootfaam, and continued his love of carpentry by passing on this passion to his four sons. He loved listening to music, watching old shows on television and fixing things.

Hendrik is survived by his wife, Theresa Grootfaam; his five sons, Ludwig Grootfaam of Surniame, Lennox Grootfaam of Brooklyn, NY, George Grootfaam of Orlando, Leon Grootfaam and his wife, Deniece, of Brooklyn, NY, and Shawn Grootfaam of Guyana and his wife, Souda; his four daughters, Barbara Grootfaam of Orlando, Alison Thomas and her husband, Joel, of Brooklyn, NY, Eleanor Grootfaam of Orlando, and Marva Phillips and her husband, Derek, of Orlando; nineteen grandchildren, Raenata Albert, Millie Grootfaam-Kahn, Yulanda Grootfaam, Lennox Marvin Grootfaam, Jr., Mandy McIntyre, Joel Nkosi Thomas, Abeena Thomas, Shonette Aiken, Shiffon Baptiste, Samantha Melville, Gordon Mansonhing, Gilbert Grootfaam, Ethan George, Sharlese Rickenbacker, Feodora Princess Grootfaam, Blaine Phillips, Tamara Phillips, Samantha Knights-Grootfaam, and Jonathan Grootfaam; fifteen great-grandchildren, Shyra Albert, Dontaye Albert, Danyel Albert, Taylor Albert, Christian Grootfaam, Jahsiah McIntyre, Jaden Thomas, Kalynn J. McMillan, Samiyah Lamont, Aaliyah Melville, Aalana Melville, and Kaleb Baptiste, Reina Thomas-Mohammed, Joshua Thomas-Mohammed, Anthony Thomas-Mohammed, Tabari Moore, Jordan Mansonhing, and Shamar Mansonhing; one great-great grandchild, Asaryh Ralph; three brothers Renee Grootfaam, Albrecht Grootfaam, and Leendert Grootfaam; and two sisters, Augusta Ost, and Georgetina Grootfaam.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Godfrey Grootfaam; two brothers, Edwin Grootfaam and Charles Grootfaam; and a sister, Juliette Grootfaam.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, November 1, 2019 at 6:00 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home - East Orlando Chapel, 895 S. Goldenrod Rd, Orlando, FL 32822.

Visitation with the family will precede the service on Friday, November 1 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Funeral Home.

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