Brattleboro – Barney Vandervalk, 91, of Landmark Hill Drive, a resident of the town since 1962, died peacefully late Saturday morning, May 21, 2011 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Mr. Vandervalk was born in Fair Lawn, NJ on March 24, 1920, the son of Nicholas and Nellie (Dykstra) Vandervalk. He was educated in Hawthorne, NJ, a graduate of Hawthorne High School. He went on to receive his Journeyman's Certificate through the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners in Hackensack in February of 1951. A Veteran of World War II, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. and was honorably discharged on June 6, 1946. Mr. Vandervalk was a lifelong carpenter working for several Brattleboro area building contractors. Following his retirement in 1982 he drove a school bus for Cheshire Transportation in the Brattleboro area. He was a member of the Green Thumb Association through SEVCA and served as a personal driver for the organization, a position he enjoyed. Of his leisure time activities, he was a lifelong bicycle riding enthusiast and in his early years competed in hundreds of cycle competitions in New Jersey and New England, winning many events; bicycling was his passion. He also enjoyed skating and during the winter months he competed in speed skating events while residing in New Jersey. A quiet, humble and unassuming man, he was always willing to help his family or anyone else in need. On October 5, 1962 at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro he was married to Jean Pike who survives. Besides his loving wife of 49 years, he leaves: two sons, Peter Vandervalk of Dummerston and David Vandervalk and wife Valerie of Chelmsford, MA; one granddaughter Marika of Dummerston and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters and one brother. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at his son Peter's home, 123 Falls Brook Road, Dummerston. Burial in Christ Church Cemetery in Algiers will be private. There are no calling hours at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in Mr. Vandervalk's name may be made to Rescue, Inc., P. O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05301.