Ervin J. LeCoque

A leader in the local Crystal Lake community for almost 60 years and the former CEO and Chairman of the Aptar Group, Ervin "Erv" J. LeCoque died peacefully in his home on Friday, June 23, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Erv and his wife Louise moved to Crystal Lake from Cleveland, Ohio in 1965 when Erv was picked by Niesen Harris, a Scion of one of Chicago’s wealthiest families, to lead what was then a small aerosol valve company, Seaquist Valve. Erv soon developed Seaquist into a world leader in aerosol valve technology, and following the ozone concerns of the late 1970s, pivoted its strategic expansion to offer a broader range of more environmentally safe aerosol and non-aerosol pump products and pioneered the dispensing closure market for the pharmaceutical, home & beauty, and food & beverage industries.

Under his leadership the company grew from under 100 people in 1965 to well over 5,000 people in countries all over the world by his retirement in 1995. In 1993, Erv led the company’s IPO on the New York Stock Exchange under the name AptarGroup and rang the closing bell to become its first CEO and Chairman.  “Erv will be greatly missed by his colleagues here at Aptar. He is fondly remembered for his friendly, approachable, leadership style and strong belief in hiring good people. He was integral to helping establish the fierce focus on innovation, strong culture and core values we have today,” said Stephan B Tanda, AptarGroup, President and CEO.

Erv was born on June 9, 1930  in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. He was one of a family of five and raised by his father Erv, Sr. and his mother Adeline. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with an engineering degree. He was also a member of the ROTC. After college, he spent two years in Korea during the Korean War. He returned to Madison to work for the Oscar Mayer Company.  There he met the love of his life, Louise and they were married Sept 27, 1958.  Erv then joined Carlon Products Co and they moved to Cleveland where he received his MBA from Case Western University.   In 1965, Erv was named  President of Seaquist  Valve in Cary, Illinois after which he and Louise moved to Crystal Lake. There they raised four children, Alain, Jay, Paul and Carolyn.

Erv was a pillar of the local community.  He helped create the Lakeside Legacy Foundation and served on its Board to save the Dole Mansion from development in 2002.  He also served on the Board of McHenry County College.  As importantly, he was a friend and mentor to many individuals in the local business and non-profit communities throughout his many years in Crystal Lake.

“Everyone in the community loved Erv. He was kind and his passion for mentoring and caring for people had lasting benefits for Crystal Lake and the surrounding area” said Steven Slack, president, and CEO of Home State Bank.

In addition to his wife Louise, sons, Alain and wife Laura, Jay and wife Sharon, Paul and wife Michelle, and daughter Carolyn and husband Tom, Erv is survived by his two sisters, Faye Janssen and Darlene Mannarino, as well as six grandchildren, Cameron, Daniel, Christopher, Colin, Alex, and Connor.

A visitation is scheduled on Thursday, July 6 from 4pm until 8pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.  The funeral mass will be Friday, July 7, at 10 AM at the Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.

Immediately following the funeral, a luncheon celebrating Erv’s life will be held at the Dole Mansion, 401 Country Club Road in Crystal Lake. The family welcomes all to attend the Celebration of Life luncheon.

Erv’s family is so grateful for the wonderful caregivers and hospice nurses who helped Erv through his last months.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the The Dole Mansion (Lakeside Legacy Foundation) 401 Country Club Rd., Crystal Lake, Il 60014  or the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation.