August A. Van Jr.

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.