Rens Weyerstrass

Rens Weyerstrass, 78, of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of Currituck Road, Newtown, died October 24 at home with his family by his side. He was the husband of Johanna “Lena” Weyerstrass.

Born January 8, 1923, in Amsterdam, Holland, he was the son of Hendrick and Antonia Weyerstrass. He immigrated to Bridgeport in 1949 with his wife and three children. In 1952, he opened Rens Bakery in Sandy Hook. He opened up a branch store in Newtown Center and then the main store on South Main Street in 1957. He ran the business with his wife by his side, until his retirement in 1982.

At that time, according to a story in the July 9, 1982, Newtown Bee, Mr and Mrs Weyerstrass were looking forward to simple pleasures, such as fishing, relaxing, and just going places together. Most of all, they looked forward to spending more time at their log cabin on Currituck Road.

Prior to his retirement, Mr Weyerstrass would rise at 4 am each day and work through the night on Saturday and Sunday.

According to The Bee, Mr and Mrs Weyerstrass officially retired over the Fourth of July weekend. On that Sunday, friends hustled them out of the bakery and into a decorated truck with a sign that said, “Just Retired.” They were then taken to a lavish party at the home of friends. They had expected a quiet dinner for eight.

In addition to his wife, Mr Weyerstrass is survived by a daughter, Antonia Craig of Plantation, Fla.; two sons, Rens Weyerstrass, Jr, and Martin Weyerstrass, both of Interlachen, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Services were private.

Donations in his memory may be made to Hospice of the Comforter, 595 Montgomery Road, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.

The Newtown Bee          November 2, 2001