Patrick John Milligan, 88,
of Foster City passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2013. He left in
the same manner he lived his life, quietly and without fanfare.
Pat was born on June 24,
1925, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Patrick J. and Blanche (LaBranche)
Milligan. He attended school in Felch, graduating from Felch High School
in 1943. Upon his graduation, he enlisted in the United States Marines. As
a private in the 21st Marine Corps, he received a letter of commendation for
intelligence gathered while in combat against the Japanese forces at
Guam. This information enabled his regiment to carry out its mission
against the enemy with minimum American casualties.
Pat was gravely injured
in February of 1945 while fighting with the 3rd Marine Division that swept the
beaches of Iwo Jima. He was treated at the Naval Hospital in Pearl Harbor
and later sent to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital for recovery and rehab. It
would be another two years before he was home in Foster City. He received
the Purple Heart, Marine Corps Good Conduct, World War II Victory and Asiatic
Pacific Campaign Medals, Presidential Unit Citation and Combat Action Ribbons,
and Honorable Service Lapel Pin (Ruptured Duck). Pat was honorably
discharged in March 1947 as a Corporal. Upon returning home, he met and
married the love of his life, Janice Charlevoix They were married on November
26, 1949. After nearly sixty-two wonderful years together, Janice
preceded him in death on March 16, 2011.
Pat ran the family farm
and later owned and operated Pat's Market in Foster City from 1964 to
1987. He was a lifelong resident of Foster City where he was a member of St.
Joseph Catholic Church. He enjoyed playing cribbage, smear, woodworking,
and hunting. Always a warm and fun place to meet, family and friends
loved to gather on Milligan's Mountain. His family brought him great pride and
joy.
Pat was a proud member of
the N.R.A., the V.F.W., the D.A.V., and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Patrick is survived by
his children, Patrick (Deb) Milligan of Foster City, Holly (Ross) Dixon of Iron
Mountain, Tricia (Don) Mattson of Felch, Jeanne (Boyd) Dixon of Iron Mountain,
Nancy (Ron) Basile of Foster City, Ted Budek of Felch, Sarge (Tom Pennington)
Milligan of Crystal Falls and Steve (Bonnie) Milligan of Vulcan; grandchildren
Derek (Leah) Dixon, Ashley (Brent) Junion, Christopher (Michelle) Mattson, Lisa
(Benoit) Robinot Bertrand, Nicholas Mattson, Sasha Dixon, Taylor Basile, Regan
and Garth Budek, and Cale, Shea (Nikki), and Macrea (Melissa Bashaw) Anderson;
great grandchildren Marley and Aubrey Dixon, Brielle Junion, Maximus and Maggie
Mattson, and Madeleine and Julien Robinot Bertrand; one brother James (Anna)
Milligan of Vulcan, three sisters Faye (Anthony) Bartoszek of Kansas City, KS,
Phyllis (Marshall) Kesler of Iron Mountain, and Janet Skibo of Crystal Falls,
in-laws Alice Charlevoix and Steve (Marilyn) Charlevoix.
He was
preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Budek in 2011, a granddaughter,
Brianne Dixon in 1988, a grandson, Craig Anderson, in 1999, a great
granddaughter, Gabrielle Robinot Bertrand in 2010; and a brother, Robert
Milligan in 2009.
Visitation
will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2013, from 10:00 am to 12 noon at the St.
Joseph Catholic Church in Foster City. The funeral Mass will follow at 12
noon at the church. Fr. Daryl Pepin will offer the Mass of Christian
Burial. Burial will be in the Foster City Cemetery in the spring.
The Felch-Breen V.F.W Post #4803 will accord Full Military Honors.
Pat's
grandsons, Derek, Chris, Nick, Taylor, Regan, Garth, Cale, Shea, Macrea and
Brent will serve as pallbearers.
The family would
like to convey a heartfelt thank you to Dad's friends and extended family at
the Oscar G. Johnson CLC Department. Your care, kindness and love will
never be forgotten. He loved you in return.
No comments:
Post a Comment