Arthur Aken
April 11, 1925 — May 7, 2014
Arthur Aken
Arthur George Van Aken, of 577 Back Road, Gilboa, passed away peacefully at his home on May 7, 2014 after a brief illness.
Art, as he preferred to be called, is the son of the late Mr. Frederick Van Aken and Elizabeth (Bartsch) Van Aken of Gilboa. Art was born on April 11, 1925 in Yonkers, New York but spent most of his adult life in the Gilboa area, attending Gilboa-Conesville Central School.
In 1943, he joined the US Army. After basic training, he was shipped to England, and joined General George S. Patton's Third Army, where he saw action in Normandy and Northern France as a member of The Red Ball Express, delivering gas and supplies to the front lines. He was later transferred to Antwerp, Belgium during a period of daily V1 and V-2 attacks. He completed his Military Service in Germany at the war's end.
Art had a very active career, as a logger, truck driver, truck mechanic; retiring from the N.Y.S. DOT in 1987 as Preventive Maintenance Specialist. In 2004, he started a new career as a writer and truck historian, compiling and publishing 29 books on trucks and heavy equipment, which he shipped to customers worldwide.
Art is predeceased by his adoring wife, Eleanor (Coffin) Van Aken, and an infant brother, Frederick.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Scott & Diane Van Aken, of Fort Myers, Florida.
He is also survived by his companion, Martha Dusold, brothers: Russell Van Aken and Doug Van Aken of Gilboa, sisters: Eleanor Thompson of Windham, NY, Frieda Carrington of Phoenix, AZ, Elizabeth Ledda of West Winfield, NY, and Rose Mary Peaslee of Lake Luzerne, NY and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place as requested by the deceased. A Memorial Services will Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 11 A.M. at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh. A private service will take place later that day at Cedar Lake Cemetery, West Winfield, NY. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catskills Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 795 E. Main St., Cobleskill, NY 12043.
Art, as he preferred to be called, is the son of the late Mr. Frederick Van Aken and Elizabeth (Bartsch) Van Aken of Gilboa. Art was born on April 11, 1925 in Yonkers, New York but spent most of his adult life in the Gilboa area, attending Gilboa-Conesville Central School.
In 1943, he joined the US Army. After basic training, he was shipped to England, and joined General George S. Patton's Third Army, where he saw action in Normandy and Northern France as a member of The Red Ball Express, delivering gas and supplies to the front lines. He was later transferred to Antwerp, Belgium during a period of daily V1 and V-2 attacks. He completed his Military Service in Germany at the war's end.
Art had a very active career, as a logger, truck driver, truck mechanic; retiring from the N.Y.S. DOT in 1987 as Preventive Maintenance Specialist. In 2004, he started a new career as a writer and truck historian, compiling and publishing 29 books on trucks and heavy equipment, which he shipped to customers worldwide.
Art is predeceased by his adoring wife, Eleanor (Coffin) Van Aken, and an infant brother, Frederick.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Scott & Diane Van Aken, of Fort Myers, Florida.
He is also survived by his companion, Martha Dusold, brothers: Russell Van Aken and Doug Van Aken of Gilboa, sisters: Eleanor Thompson of Windham, NY, Frieda Carrington of Phoenix, AZ, Elizabeth Ledda of West Winfield, NY, and Rose Mary Peaslee of Lake Luzerne, NY and many nieces and nephews.
Cremation has taken place as requested by the deceased. A Memorial Services will Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 11 A.M. at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home, 134 River St., Middleburgh. A private service will take place later that day at Cedar Lake Cemetery, West Winfield, NY. There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catskills Area Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 795 E. Main St., Cobleskill, NY 12043.
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