Peter Theodore Van Der Ven

Peter Theodore "Marie" Van der Ven was born in Holland on February 26, 1929.

A day he liked to say: ""¦People were so excited on, that they jumped out of windows!" Preceded in death by his parents, Helen "Buise" Van der Ven and Peter Theodore "Marie" Van der Ven, his sister Anna Treeck; Peter's wife Lydia, his son Peter "Serge" and daughter Helen. He is survived by his son William "Basile" Van der Ven and daughter Natasha Shareghi, brothers Ted and Adrianus "Aat", sister Helen; his daughter-in-law Louise Ann "Cherry" Van der Ven, son-in-law Nader Shareghi; his grandchildren Peter Karl Van der Ven, Sara Lyda and Nicholas Reza Shareghi; step-grandchildren Eric Butler and Kamyar Medica Shareghi; his nephews: Peter, Jose, Guido and Simon; nieces: Ellen, Annemarie, Saskia; numerous family members and friends, all of whom loved and miss him dearly.

Peter died quietly in Stockton, California on Tuesday, July 25th approximately 4:30 AM in the home of his daughter and son-in-law.

As a boy of eleven growing up during World War II in occupied Holland, Peter served as a messenger for the Dutch Resistance using his charm and wits to pass through enemy checkpoints, all the while carrying messages and information hidden between the tires of his bicycle. Towards the end of the war he left Holland and worked with the American Army in liberated France as a translator. After the war, he volunteered his time at Lourdes providing assistance and aid to the many sick and dying coming to pray for a cure.

Peter returned back to Holland where he took up sailing and became an accomplished "day sailor".

During the infamous Holland Flood of 1953, he joined with the rest of the Dutch Citizenry in fighting the floodwaters and devastated the country.

Peter arrived in the United States, sponsored by his younger brother and worked briefly in New York City. He then moved to San Francisco where he met his future wife Lydia Van Uden and her two sons Basile and Serge. They were married in 1957, where-upon Peter moved his wife and adopted sons to Santa Cruz, California. Peter and Lydia became American Citizens on November 16, 1958, and were feted by the Santa Cruz Exchange Club.

Peter talked his way into a career position as a lab technician for the than named Portland Cement Company, by learning the manufacturing of cement in the local public library.

In addition to working full time at the cement plant, Peter built up a book keeping and tax preparing business that he maintained until he left Santa Cruz.

Peter was a member of two Santa Cruz fraternal organizations: Knights of Columbus and the Loyal Order of Moose; in addition, he actively participated in the Santa Cruz Chapter of Boy Scouts of America BSA.

He retired from Lone Star Industries in the mid 1980's as the head of Quality Control for the Lone Star Industries' Davenport Cement Plant.

Peter and Lydia then moved to Sacramento to be close to their grandchildren.

Peter Theodore Marie Van der Ven will be remembered for this urbane manner, tenacity in the face of adversity, wonderful wit and devotion to his family and friends: "Always Faithful!"

At his request, no service will be held; the family suggests donations be made in his name to your favorite charity.

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