Del Meyerhoefer, age 82, of Canadice, NY, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 8, surrounded by his family.
Del was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, who with his kind heart, exceptional character and endlessly creative mind enriched the lives of all who knew him.
Del was born in Eden, NY to the late John and Catherine Meyerhoefer. As a young man, he worked alongside his father building homes south of Buffalo and also on the Agle farm in Eden, helping his parents to support their large family.
Having offered to drive a friend to a college interview at SUNY Oswego, he was discovered in the waiting room by the director of admissions who, after a brief conversation, offered him acceptance to the school on the spot in their Department of Technology. It was at Oswego, that Del met his best friend and the love of his life, Brenda (Councill) Meyerhoefer.
Del and Brenda started their lives together working in the Brighton Central School District, where Del taught Industrial Arts and Technology. In his role as an educator for over 35 years, he opened up new worlds to his students through woodworking, ceramics, metalworking, photography, electronics, architectural design, small engine repair and hydroponics. At the end of the school day, he would often head directly to the University of Rochester, where he worked with patients as a Manual Arts Therapist, before heading home to Brenda.
When on a drive through the Finger Lakes region in 1970, the couple found a beautiful piece of wooded land with a large barn on it, they somehow knew they’d found their forever home. Del drew the plans for a lovely two-story house that would sit on the foundation of the old barn and, preserving the stone wall and beams, he and a friend, together with Brenda, built it from the ground up. That lovely home in the woods would become a special place in which Del and Brenda welcomed three beautiful children, two grandchildren, and countless friends, family members and neighbors whose laughter and love fills its walls to this day.
Del is survived by his life-long friend and love, Brenda Meyerhoefer; his three children, Gretchen Meyerhoefer, Chad (Mireille) Meyerhoefer, and Brett (Marissa) Meyerhoefer; his adoring grandsons, Hugo and Lucas; and his siblings, Joyce Smith, Rebecca Pound, Catherine Lampman, and Dennis, James and Daniel Meyerhoefer. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister, Judith Stiver, and brother, Gerald Meyerhoefer.
A memorial service will take place at 11AM on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 at the Canadice United Methodist Church, 5945 Canadice Hill Road in Springwater, NY.
Interment will take place privately at Canadice Corners Hill Cemetery on Canadice Hill Road in Springwater, NY.
In lieu flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Del’s memory to Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County, for which he volunteered during the early years of his retirement, at https://ontariohabitat.org/donate/
To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Brenda, Gretchen, Chad and Brett… I am so sorry for your loss. I have so many fond memories of Del – camping with you all, building additions to my childhood home in Canadice, and many times we all spent together at our homes. Grace and peace to you all in this time. I am saddened of Del’s passing, but honored to have known a great man like Del who lived the impactful life he did.
– JB and Tricia Murphy
Our sincerest sympathies to the Meyerhoefer family on the passing of Del. As a colleague, Del’s leadership, advice, and technical expertise were second to none. Long after his retirement, Del’s wisdom continued to play a role in the decisions we made for the direction of our Technology Education Department. As a friend, Del was always willing to lend an ear, share his knowledge and he had a wonderful sense of humor. While we mourn our loss, we can take comfort in knowing that we, along with the thousands of students he taught, are much better people for knowing him.
Del was a wonderful person! I have so many memories of him from our time together at Brookside and French Road.
Dearest Brenda, Gretchen, Chad and Bret, We are truly saddened to learn of Del’s passing. Our family has such wonderful memories of the times we spent together, although they were too few and far between. Despite the distance between us, we have always valued the friendship of such a beautiful, loving family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you always find peace in the wonderful memories that you all shared.
Carol and Jerry Claps
Dear Brenda and family,
I was so very sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings and peace,
Lucy Kress
Dear Brenda and Del’s wonderful family,
Our hearts are saddened to learn of Del’s passing and pray that you all will hold tight to those special memories that are in your hearts during these difficult days. Although we did not know Del as well as most, we feel we knew him thru all of you …Chad, Brett, and Gretchen. His legacy lives on in each of you in so many ways and no greater gift of love is to be the things you loved most about him! Sending prayers of comfort, strength, trust, and peace to you all.
Love,
Dave and Mary Jo Dussault
Brenda & Family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find peace in all the wonderful memories you shared. You will be in my prayers.
Brenda and family,
I am so sorry to hear of Del’s loss. His many talents and kindness will be remembered by all who knew him. I have never met a more positive individual. Wow.
Heaven has a great addition.
Ray S.
Del was a cherished brother-in-law. One of his talents was his skill in making furniture. I still have a beautiful Williamsburg cradle he made with wood from a tree that grew in Eden, NY. It was used by both of my children and two of my grandchildren. He will always be loved and missed.
Del will be missed. He was one of the most kind, soft spoken, and patient person I’ve known and had the pleasure to work with. As a co-worker at FRMS, there was never a time when I passed his area and didn’t find it filled with students and the excitement they received learning new skills from him. I lacked the building skills but Dell worked with me after school to create 3 tall bookcases which are still in our living room. Seeing these every day always brings back memories of the time we spent building them and his patience with me. They provide me with a constant memory of Dell. RIP!?
Karen and I are Sending prayers and condolences to the family.
Brenda, I’m so very sorry to hear of Del’s Passing. You and your family are in our prayers at this time. I am sending you lots of love and hugs. My very deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Brenda, Gretchen, Chad, and Brett – we are so so sorry to hear of Del’s passing. Such wonderful memories of him and you all ??
Kristin (on behalf of the Marlands)
Dear Chad and Gretchen, on behalf of the economics department, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss of such a special person. You and your families are in our prayers and may you find peace and comfort at this time of sorrow.
Del is a wonderful person who is always a joy to be around. Some of my fondest memories as a child growing up on Lawrence Hill Road was with Del and the Meyerhoefer family. He was very knowledgeable or handy if you needed something and when neighbors banded together, Del was right there. As I became an adult, started a family and moved away, I have never forgotten my memories from Lawrence Hill Road and Del. When we come to visit, it is like we never left and I will always remember that about Del and Brenda.
The Semmel’s extend their deepest condolences and prayers to a wonderful family.
Peter & Rachel Semmel
Oh my, so sorry to hear this Brenda and family. He will be sorely missed by all his family and friends. He was a dear man and so smart with his tools and his beautiful family. So many beautiful memories with the whole family, especially Aunt Ardayre! ?????Love to all! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Love Betty Lou Marland and all of our family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Del was such a gentle and talented soul.
When I worked in Brighton with Del he had many talents . One was unusual. After he ate his brown bag lunch he would fold ithe bag and put it in his back pocket. It seemed like used the same bag all year long!!
He was a rare gem.
Love
Pat Blank
Brenda and family
So very sorry for your loss. Praying for your strength. Cherish the memories.
Farewell to a beloved friend ~ our prayers are with Brenda, Del’s children and grandchildren. The world has lost a good man. May his spirit remain in the hearts of all who loved him.
Jane and Jim Minton
Dear Gretchen, Brenda and Family:
My deepest sympathies to you during this time. No words can console when speaking of the love, kindness and generosity which embodied Dell! May he rest in peace.
So saddened by your loss Brenda and family
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Jeanne from swim
Dearest Chad, Mimi and Family, I am so very sorry for the loss of your Father. His life on earth was truly a beautiful gift to you…