Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Obit Messenger results for 04/05/09.
- (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
WALSH, Thornhill James, 97, passed away Friday, March 27, 2009, still too soon to go for many of us. He is survived by our mother, Marjorie Patricia Walsh (nee Cummings) who could put up with almost anything and did. Born in Montana slightly before the Titanic crashed, he moved to Saint Louis at age 4. He drove his first car at the age of 12. At 15, he witnessed as Babe Ruth hit 3 home runs in the Cardinals first World Series in 1926, against the Yankees. He was a life-long fan. He survived the Great Depression well, always having a job. During prohibition, often somewhat parched, he could be seen at Cigar Mom's, an infamous St. Louis Speakeasy. Never to miss a moment of history, he was present at the Anheuser-Busch brewery at midnight the day prohibition ended to follow the first trucks to a local watering hole. He was an avid canoeist in the 1920's and 30's. He had many fun-filled occasions with numerous friends at Big River Hills, better known as Belli- Acres. He loved to jump off of bridges. At the outbreak of WW II he enlisted in the Navy's Submarine Service and was stationed in Bermuda. After Italy capitulated, her submarines were ordered to steam to Bermuda where our father's duties involved repurposing the submarines and sailors for the Allied effort. He also endured grueling days without the benefit of olives or sunscreen on Bermuda's pink beaches. Meanwhile, our mother was lucky enough to be living the high life with two young children at the submarine base in New London, CT. He achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer and was honorably discharged after the war. He worked for over 25 years with the Pullman Company, and was dually employed by Midland Importing (liquor store), a job for which he arrived experienced. Later, in the 1960's and 70's he was a respected Manager of the St. Louis Housing Authority, opening many developments, including the Blumeyer housing project. Upon retirement, he became a driver for the Sisters of St. Joseph Nazareth Home. He had hoped that this would earn him desperately needed points for heaven, something that will be long debated. He was of Irish descent and appreciated a cocktail and a good cigar. He enjoyed gin, scotch, Grand Marnier and whatever beer was on sale. He was not a church-goer. He was always a hard worker, but never made a lot of money. He was an impeccable dresser. He was a fierce Gin Rummy player and added from the left. He cherished sardine sandwiches with butter. He was meticulous. All the women wanted to dance with him. He could recite any Seinfeld episode, and read the Post-Dispatch from cover to cover. He despised Reagan and margarine. He was not a joke teller, but would wheeze in desperation from laughing at them. He had a million goofy sayings. He mellowed with age. He loved his 20 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He will be missed, but never forgotten. He took an ordinary life and made it extraordinary. In addition to our dear mother, he is survived by his six children: Patricia, Michael (Barbara), David (Terry), Daniel (Nancy), Heidi Rielly (Terry) and Jeanne Dinker (Bill). Dear brother of the late Loretta (Lola) Walsh and the late Rosemary Halloran. Dear uncle. Services: Graveside Memorial at J.B. National Cemetery on Friday, April 10th at 12:15 p.m. Following the ceremony, family and friends will gather for a reception. Online guestbook at legacy.com
SubVets WWII delinquent member 12615- (StamfordAdvocate)
SMITH, Henry E., 86, a longtime Stamford resident passed away on Friday April 3, 2009. He was born in Old Greenwich on May 19, 1922, the son of the late George and Grace Smith. Mr. Smith was a graduate of Greenwich High School Class of 1940. He lettered in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating he attended Peekskill Military Academy and then enlisted in the United States Navy. He was Torpedo's mate First Class in the submarine service and a WWII veteran, serving aboard the USS Sea Horse (SS-304). Upon his discharge he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers Minor League Team from 1946 to 1948. After his playing days were through he was employed as a Millwright at the Electrolux Corporation for 39 years. He is predeceased by his wife Velma Smith in 2005 and his eldest son Jack Smith in 2006. He was also predeceased by his sister Sue Trefney. He is survived by his son Douglas T. Smith of Stamford, and his two daughters Sandra and Susan Smith both of Stamford. Funeral services will be held privately. Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
- (The Oregonian)
WIEDMAIER, Harry O., 81, died March 23, 2009 He was born in Portland on July 11, 1927. Harry graduated from Salem High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in the Philippines until being discharged on Aug. 4, 1946. He then entered Oregon State College under the GI Bill and became a midshipmen in the NROTC program. Upon graduation from Oregon State with a bachelor's degree in business on June 5, 1950, he married Sara Mae Addis on June 12, 1950, and reported aboard the USS Mansfield (DD 728) in Sasebo, Japan, on July 10, 1950. After two Korean War deployments, to include the Inchon landing, he was transferred to the USS Tillamook (ATA 192) at Adak, Alaska, until he was released from active duty in October 1952. Harry worked for Westinghouse in Portland briefly until he went to work for Jantzen on Jan. 6,1955, retiring in 1983 as the director of purchasing. During this 28-year period, he remained in the Naval Reserve. He had three major commands, two of them in the submarine force and one in the naval control of shipping force. He also retired from the Navy in 1983 after 38 years of service. After retirement, Harry loved to travel with his wife, Sara Mae, making many trips throughout the world including sailing adventures to Alaska, Holland and the Mediterranean. Besides traveling, Harry belonged to a number of organizations including Reserve Officers Association, Oregon State Alumni, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Rotary, Oregon Military Museum and most notably the Save the PT Boat, Inc. After being a plank owner of this group, he acted as vice president and president until his passing. This group of dedicated sailors and vets overcame many great obstacles and totally restored the 78 foot PT 658 to become the only fully operational PT boat left in the world. The PT 658 is a World War II craft which had deteriorated for decades until this group spent the better part of 20 years to bring the PT boat to its current glory. You can see and hear the current crew of sailors navigate the waters of the Pacific Northwest in their living naval museum piece powered by three V-12 Packards. Harry is survived by his wife, four children, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. There will be a military funeral and a memorial celebration of Harry's life on Thursday, April 23, 2009, at 1000 hours on the Navy Operational Support Center muster deck at Swan Island. Please RSVP to Sara Mae Wiedmaier, so that your name will be available to the gate watch for admittance. In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make donations to the Save the PT Boat, Inc. at www.savetheptboatinc.com.
|
Great Sage of the Sea
Posts: 606
Location: Citrus County FL | Subject: RE: Obit Messenger results for 04/05/09.
whalen: "Mad dog, do you snore?" Mad dog: "I donno, I might." whalen: "Mad dog, do you sleep on your belly?" Mad dog: "I donno, I might." Well -- after I put a tube of KY jelly on the nightstand, sprayed myself with foo-foo juice and blew him a kiss goodnight -- he layed there on his back all night with his eyes wide open. He didn't snore a bit....I got a good night's sleep. Mad dog is still a virgin as far as I know... |
Obit Messenger results for 04/05/09.
