Our Dad was extremely fond of his only great-grandchild and savored immensely all the moments they shared together. It is in honor of his great-grandfather's Irish ancestry that Jacob's middle name was chosen. Sadly, Dad passed away on July 25th after a brief illness. He was laid to rest with full USMC military honors at Greenlawn Cemetery in Salem, Massachusetts on July 28th. Of the many, many hundreds of obituaries received each day by the Boston Globe, Dad's was one of only six published on July 26th.

        Typical of most individuals who possess uncommon courage, strength and determination, Dad was a very modest and quiet man who preferred to let his deeds and actions speak for themselves. During World War II he joined the United States Marine Corps and attained the rank of Sergeant while serving with the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division in the Pacific Theater. Among his many decorations are the Bronze Star with Valor (click here) & the Purple Heart which he earned during the Battle of Iwo Jima, and the Navy Commendation Medal with Distinction for the Battles of Saipan & Tinian. Interestingly, Dad's heroic actions on Iwo which earned him the Bronze occurred after he received a serious head wound on the first day of battle for which he received the Purple Heart. While aboard the hospital ship, another Marine Division tried to recruit him for a leap frog operation, but Dad declined saying (somewhat jokingly), 'We've got to have that island all wrapped-up after two days.' Of course, he was a bit surprised upon returning the 3rd day to find his platoon had only advanced about 15 yards from where he was wounded.

        After the war Dad worked as a leather tanner in the renowned 'Tanning City' of Peabody, Massachusetts. A few of his favorite pastimes included photography, woodworking & golfing, but his love and devotion for his family always came first. Dad so enjoyed the truly important things in life that one simply cannot recall ever hearing him voice one word of complaint about anything........except, like most New Englanders, about the Boston RedSox.

        Dad's presence and his most kind & loving guidance are deeply, deeply missed by all who loved him so dearly and admired him so greatly, but many cherished memories & great times will always live on deep within our hearts.