Patrick John Milligan

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. Private Milligan 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. Our country mourns, another veteran from the greatest generation died today. The Military Warrior by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, Sergeant, US Marine Corps, "It is the Military Warrior, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the Military Warrior, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the Military Warrior, not the politicians, that ensures our right to LIfe, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. It is the Military Warrior who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag." Condolences may be expressed to the family of Patrick J. Milligan online at http://www.ernashfuneralhomes.com/. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon and Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

Patrick John Milligan

June 24, 1925 - December 2, 2013