Obituaries

Harry Christopher de Venoge, age 84, died peacefully at his home in New Smyrna Beach Florida on 12 November 2009.  He was with his wife and surrounded by his nine adult children.  Mr. de Venoge was born in Corona, New York and after his commissioning as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy served in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  After the war, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Fordham University and a law degree from New York University.  He married Laura Anne Detwiller of Rockaway, New York, with whom he raised five daughters and four sons at their home, in Manhasset, New York, McLean, Virginia, and New Smyrna Beach, Florida. 

Mr. de Venoge began his career as a civil servant working as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, later the Department of State, Internal Revenue Service and finally the Department of Commerce where he served as the Director, Office of Investigations and Security.  He retired from government service to pursue work in the private sector.  Remarkably, all nine of his children earned a college education, determined that they pursue higher education.  At full retirement, Mr. de Venoge volunteered as a child advocate for abused and neglected children working for the State of Florida's Guardian Ad Litem program.

Growing up on the streets of Corona playing stickball, basketball and baseball, he became an avid sportsman. Later, he became an accomplished handball player and an unaccomplished golfer, prompting his move to New Smyrna Beach Florida in 1988 to live on the 15th Fairway at Sugar Mill Country Club. 

Mr. de Venoge was preceded in death by his parents, Harry Joseph de Venoge and Agnes Heffernan, his brother Vincent de Venoge and sister Josephine Bull.  He leaves behind his wife, nine children, Francine, Ann (Joe) Yohe, Harry (Lori), Vincent, Thomas (Debra), Francis (Amy), Laura (John) Ronis, Nicole, Mimi (Frank) Pohl and 23 grandchildren. The entire family wishes to thank everyone for their support during our time of grief and in particular thank God for sending an angel, Holly, to be Dad’s caregiver.