Mr. Jacobus "Jules" F. Verberne's Obituary
Jacobus “Jules” F. Verberne passed peacefully May 30, 2018 at the age of 87. Born on June 12, 1931 and raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, the fourth child of ten and namesake of his father. Jules graduated high school and was accepted into the Dutch Merchant Marine Academy from which he graduated to becoming a mariner rising to the rank of second mate travelling the world, first on a passenger vessel and then cargo ships. It was on one of these voyages to the Port of Houston, Texas he met the love of his life Cleo Hinojosa. Soon after Jules chose to become shore bound in Houston. After marriage in 1959 he began a career at Strachan Shipping Company and a family a few years later with the birth of his sons Paul and Stephen. Jules worked his way to become Vice President and head of Stevedoring in his forty years of tenor with Strachan. During this time Jules became a well-respected and highly regarded executive in the Port of Houston, instrumental in assisting startup companies to service the stevedoring industry, serving on multiple boards and advisory committees. He served on the Board of Directors for the West Gulf Maritime Association, was Chairman of its Labor Negotiations Committee and later served many years as an industry mediator. Jules also was a highly respected management trustee for the International Longshoremans Pension and Welfare Fund . In his spare time Jules loved sailing for many years on his boat, spending time on his ranch, for which he always wanted to own a piece of Texas and most of all watching the love of his life, his grandson Jacob growing up and playing soccer, Jules favorite sport.
Jules was preceded in death by his parents, brother Piet Verberne, sister Annemarie Verberne, and brothers Dick, Kees and Frans Verberne. He was survived by his wife of 58 years Cleotilde Hinojosa Verberne, sons Paul Verberne, Stephen Verberne and wife Nicole Hall Verberne, their son, Jules grandson, Jacob Allen Verberne, brother Paul Verberne, sisters Mia Verberne, Agnes Wognum, Elisabeth Langedyke and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Jules life will be held June 16th ,2018 at 10:00am at SouthPark Funeral Home 1310 N. Main St., Pearland, Texas 77581. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The International Seafarers Center at the Port of Houston in his name.
What’s your fondest memory of Jacobus?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jacobus?
Share a story where Jacobus' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jacobus you’ll never forget.
How did Jacobus make you smile?