Eric John Huygens

Eric was born to Ernest George A. and Emily Bellew Huygens. in Southend-On- Sea, England on January 2, 1926 and passed quietly at his home in Bradenton on November 13, 2019.

His lifelong passion for adventure, travel and success became apparent at age 13 when he began training as a merchant seaman on the H.M.T.S. INDEFATIGABLE, and shipped out to the South Pacific at age 15 after completing high school. Upon completion of his naval service in 1945, he took on various jobs in New Zealand and Australia before immigrating to Baltimore, Maryland in 1948, finally reaching America, where his dreams would continue to be realized. He became a successful salesman for several companies, becoming a senior dancer instructor for Arthur Murray Studios, eventually National Sales Manager for Beecham. He went from employee to entrepreneur as the founder of Knight Distributing Company in Atlanta. While there, he developed the still well-known women’s fragrance “Sand and Sable,” which he eventually sold to the Pfizer Company, and sought new adventures in Sarasota.

Eric’s love of the travel took him around the world, and while here, he had several fishing and cruising vessels, eventually becoming the owner and captain of the 89-foot yacht, VOYAGER.

Through his life, he was not only successful in business, but with all people who were fortunate to know him, a wide variety of people, all of whom he treated with the grace and humility of a person who had risen from simple beginnings to achieve great success.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy, his true and lasting love, with whom reconnected 20 years ago after they first dated in 1969. He is also survived by his children Candice Howren, Brian Huygens and Beth Fury, his grandchildren, Wesley, Dale, Skyler, Ursula, Tylor, and Katie and great grandchild, Claire. In addition, Kathy’s children Bill Shipley and Shana Hayes, and her son, Harrison.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to United Cerebral Palsy of Southwest Florida in honor of Hannah Alexander.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Huygens family.