Obituary of Fernand Louis Vandenberghe

Fernand Louis “Ferd” Vandenberghe, 74, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 3, 2026.

Born in Blankenberge, Belgium, he immigrated as a young boy with his family to the United States settling first in Paterson, NJ before moving several years later to Hawthorne, NJ and then moving to Whippany, NJ, 38 years ago.

Ferd graduated from Hawthorne High School in 1971. He spent 20 plus years at Coldelite Corporation in Lodi, NJ an Italian ice cream machine manufacturer, becoming a Sales Executive and then continued his career at Verizon Communications in Basking Ridge, NJ as a manager in its HQ Marketing, Metrics and Analysis Department for over 20 years until his retirement in 2019.

Ferd had a deep love for animals, especially his cherished pet cats who were all adopted from shelters and supported Animal Rights organizations.  In his spare time, Ferd enjoyed traveling which included 19 cruises, many trips to the Jersey Shore and spending time outdoors barbequing, gardening and landscaping around his home. He also found great pleasure in attending family gatherings for holidays and other special events.

Ferd is survived by his loving husband, Eric Guterl; his beloved mother, Lea Vandenberghe, of Toms River, NJ; and his dear siblings Michael and his wife, Wendy, of Hamburg, NJ, Ivan Vandenberghe, of Hewitt, NJ, Dirk Vandenberghe, of Toms River, NJ; and Linda Watson, and her fiancé Joseph Coneglio, also of Toms River. He is also survived by his cherished nieces and nephews, Peter Vandenberghe and his wife, Danielle, Denise (Vandenberghe) Tomaiko, Lauren Ciasullo and her husband, Christopher, Kristen Grabkowski and her husband, Brandon, Travis Watson and his wife, Ashley, Cody Watson and his fiancé, Kara, Courtney Engelman and her husband, Tray; as well as many great nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 5:00-8:00pm at Dangler Funeral Home, 600 Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, NJ.  A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at 9:30 AM at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Church, 75 Ridgedale Ave., Cedar Knolls, NJ. Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.  

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ferd’s name can be made to the Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, NJ (www.njshelter.org), or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).