Ervin A. DeSmet Sr., 88, died on Aug. 18. He was born in San Jose and was a member of a pioneer family in the Santa Clara Valley. He grew up in Willow Glen with his parents, Henry and Emma, brother Delbert, and sisters Lillian, Verona and Helen. He graduated from San José State University and also attended Santa Clara University and Stanford University, where he earned his master's degree in business.

DeSmet served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was in Tokyo Bay at the time of the official Japanese surrender. Afterwards, he returned to the Santa Clara Valley, where he spent many years as an orchardist; he lived some of that time in Saratoga.

DeSmet was married to Alice Christopher for 61 years and was the father of Ervin DeSmet Jr., Richard DeSmet, Gary DeSmet and Denise Glasco.

A vigil was held at Lima Family Sunnyvale Mortuary on Aug. 20 with a funeral mass on Aug. 21 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saratoga.