Westborough – Arthur James Van Deventer, 92, of Westborough, previously of the Willows in Worcester, passed away peacefully Oct. 3, 2018. He was the beloved husband of the late Katherine Bernadette Doran Van Deventer, who passed away just a short month ahead of him after enjoying 68 wonderful years of marriage together.
Born in Yonkers, N.Y., he was the son of the late John Herbert Van Deventer and Mary Isabelle Stone Van Deventer. He was predeceased by his parents; 12 brothers and sisters, including his 1-year-older beloved brother, Peter D. Van Deventer; and son, Brian Van Deventer.
He is survived by the his seven children, Arthur James Van Deventer and his wife Carol of Somers, Conn., Richard M. Van Deventer and his wife Kathy of Bellaire, Texas, Mary P. Van Deventer of Boston, Brendan P. Van Deventer and his wife Monica of Barrington, R.I., Katherine V. Latraverse and her husband James of Shrewsbury, Elizabeth V. Hurst and her husband John of Roswell, Ga., and Peter D. Van Deventer and his wife April of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; 15 grandchildren, Brian Van Deventer, Lisa Schumacher, Michael Van Deventer, Katherine Casey, Brendan Van Deventer, Kimberly Cunningham, Christine Cunningham, Jacqueline Van Deventer, Meghan Van Deventer, Brendan Van Deventer, Lauren Hurst, John Hurst, Patrick Hurst, Maximillian Van Deventer, and Sasha Van Deventer; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Arthur graduated from Yale University with a double degree in engineering. He served honorably in U.S. Navy as the communication officer (3 stars) during the Korea conflict. He had an extensive career in manufacturing at executive levels, including group president of the plastics division of Dart Industries. He was also co-founder and owner of Co-Van Industries, which he ran until his retirement in 1985.
He was an avid golfer and tennis player and enjoyed world travel. He was the greatest Atlanta Braves fan living in New England! He had a wonderful wit and enjoyed starting every day with the newspaper comics.
His wonderful legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
His funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m., in St. Luke the Evangelist Church, 70 West Main St., Westborough. There are no calling hours. A luncheon invitation will be announced at the conclusion of the funeral.
