BEEKMAN – Deacon Theodore J. Van De Ven, 67, died on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Deacon Ted previously lived in Malverne, Long Island and College Point, Queens. He and his family vacationed in the Sylvan Lake area for 45 years before moving there permanently 4 years ago.

Born in Brooklyn on April 18, 1945, he was the son of the late Theodore and Florence (Santa Lucia) Van De Ven. In 1968, he married Judy Masterson at the Resurrection Ascension Church in Rego Park. Mrs. Van De Ven survives at home.

He proudly served our country in the United States Air National Guard. Deacon Ted worked for State Farm Insurance for 43 years until his retirement as a consultant in 2011. In College Point, he had volunteered as a Scout Master for Troop 18, Boy Scouts of America and coordinated the Food Pantry at St. Fidelis Church.

Deacon Ted, who was ordained over 20 years ago, most recently served the parishioners of Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church in LaGrangeville where he was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Theodore J. Van De Ven, III and his wife Lisa of Saratoga Springs, Victoria Perelmuter and her husband Rob of Plainview, and James Van De Ven and his wife Nicole of Malverne; his grandchildren, Nicholas Perelmuter, Theodore J. Van De Ven, IV, Jessica Perelmuter, and Olivia Van De Ven; his sister, Rosemarie Sreekissoon and her husband Patrick; and his brother, Franklin Weber.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday and Friday from 2 – 4 and 7 - 9 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 am at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1925 Route 82, LaGrangeville. Interment will follow in St. Denis Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial donations may be made to made to: Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1925 Route 82, LaGrangeville, NY 12540 or to Covenant House, 461 Eighth Avenue, New York, NY 10001 (www.covenanthouse.org).

For driving directions, online condolences and memorial donations, please visit Deacon Ted's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.