AUGUST A VAN, JR., beloved husband, family man, and choir director passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the age of 86. A native and lifelong resident of New Orleans, he was a graduate of Tulane University with a degree in Business Administration where he was a member of Sigma Pi Fraternity. His post graduate education included a CPCU in insurance. He was the past president of the Surety Association of Louisiana and past president of the Society of CPCUs. He was retired from the Hartford Insurance Co.
August was actively involved in choir direction and was a vocalist in more than 20 choirs over a 50 year span. He was also a board member of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society; served as a choir member at St. Philip Neri Church; and choir director at several churches, including Our Lady of Perpetual Help. He was also a Fellow Knight in the Knights of Columbus. His military experience included serving in the U.S. Naval Air Corps during WWII as an aviation cadet; and also served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War in an intelligence role, where he received the Commendation Medal and Ribbon. He was an avid baseball enthusiast, and enjoyed participating in the insurance league. He was a leader and actively gave of his time to many civic organizations, and he enjoyed all things that are New Orleans - music, art, food, and of course, Saints football.
He was preceded in death by his mother Emma Acosta Van, father August A. Van, Sr. and his sisters Leatrice Schmitt and Joyce Hazard. He is survived by his loving wife Mary "Myrle" Van and 5 children: Jacqueline Riley (Daniel Riley); David Van, MD (Vicki Van, MD); Donald Van (Gina Van); Julie Schouest (Barton Schouest) and Jeanine Seeber (Phillip Seeber). He is survived by 9 grandchildren: Chad Webre, (Emily Webre), Steven Riley, Matthew Riley, David Van, Lauren Van, Blake Schouest, Kimberley Schouest, Mary Van, and Craig Seeber; and 2 great grandchildren August Webre and Isaac Webre.
Visitation will occur on Friday, November 15, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA. Mass will be held at St. Philip Neri Church, Saturday, November 16, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Greenwood Mausoleum.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.schoencanalstreet.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
November 25, 2013
Dear Myrle & Family,
Let me express my sympathy for your loss. Since I'm family from California, I was not able to attend the services and see you in person as I would have liked to. Gus was the cornerstone of a warm, and loving family, a wonderful father & husband. Myrle, I'm glad I was able to talk with you this week and glad that your daughters are with you now. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Cousin Cecile J DeCuir
November 16, 2013
Maria Bullard
Dear Jackie and family,
My heart is heavy because I know what a bright light Mr Gus was for your entire family. He was truly one of the sweetest men I have ever met. I'll never forget his tour of artwork and music that he gave me when we first met! Such a gem of a man! Find peace in knowing what an amazing legacy he has left in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and the love & bond that he passed on to you all! Your parents are an inspiration to us all - a true love story! Wish I could be there for the services, I know they will be amazing!!! Hugs to your mom for me!
November 16, 2013
carole lumpkin
MY sincerest condolences to you Myrle, and I will miss
Gus very much. I am so glad I got to sit with him on the back pew at SPN a few months ago and sing along with him and the Choir. What a wonderful man and musician! I am sure The Lord will recognize him. My prayers to you to carry on..........Carole Lumpkin
November 16, 2013
Gwen Tappin
Love and prayers are with you Myrle and family from one of your many art friends. Gwen Tappin
November 15, 2013
With sincere and heartfelt sentiments,
we send our condolences on the passing of "Gus". Our prayers are with all of you
John and Edie Villarrubia
November 15, 2013
Dear Myrle,We were friends for many years. I know he is in the right place. I will miss him. Much love. Your
Brother, Joe
our brother, JOE
November 15, 2013
Dear Dan and family,
My husband and I wish to send you our sincere sympathy in the loss of your father-in-law . You will be in in our prayers.
Donna and Dennis Baas
November 15, 2013
Kathleen Pait
From my dinner with Mr. Van last new years, I could immediately tell how courageous, kind hearted, and downright funny he was! An incredibly talented artist and spirited grandfather, I am so very honored to have met him, however briefly, and to have conversed with him about his time in the war. I send all my strength and warm thoughts to his family members today. I love you all very much!
November 15, 2013
Scott Adams
Love You Uncle Gus! I will miss you and all of our talks about music and the military!
November 15, 2013
JULES SIMONEAUX JR
MYRLE, YOU AND GUS ARE IN OUR PRAYERS.
NANCY & JULES SIMONEAUX, JR.
November 15, 2013
Uncle Bud, we will all miss you. Your beautiful piano playing and singing will live with us forever. We will always cherish the wonderful Thanksgivings and Christmas Eve parties. Now you are reunited with the family you missed so much. Love,
Lisa Silver
November 15, 2013
Jackie, Dan and Family; We were so sorry to hear of your loss. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Olan and Nancy
November 15, 2013
Darrin Ducote
Mr.Gus always had a joke to tell me when we would talk.He was one of a kind and we will miss him.See you in the Kingdom when i get there too.
November 15, 2013
Our condolences to the Van Family in this time of, no doubt, EXTREMELY great loss. The Van Family is one of the tightest-knit families with which I've had the pleasure of being familiar, and I know from my past interactions with each of you that you pride yourselves and find most pleasures in the activities centered AROUND family. I also know that Gus was a large part of these interactions, and will be sorely missed by all.
I am writhing with regret that I will not be in attendance at the services, but am pleased that my husband Igor will be there to meet the wonderful family Gus has created with Myrle, and to sense your closeness as a family.
My heartfelt condolences are certainly with you as I send to you the biggest hug for one of the biggest, and closest-knit families I know.
With sympathy,
Heather Schouest Povsnar
November 14, 2013
ST.PHILIP'S CHOIR WILL MISS YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. JANET AND JERRY PESCE
November 14, 2013
Barbara Cruthirds
You will be missed Uncle Bud. I know you are with Joyce and Lee now. God bless and keep you at his side.
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