William N. Marcoux, 94, of Philipsburg and a winter resident of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College.
He was born in Bay City, Mich., on Nov. 19, 1921 to Leo T. and Anna M. (Klos) Marcoux. He graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1939.
After graduation, he joined the Navy where he served from 1939 – 1945.
His Navy experience was mostly spent in the Pacific arena of World War II with a large portion of that time spent on the aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise. He received an honorable discharge with the rank of chief petty officer.
While attending Bucknell University, he met his future wife, Margaret Lynch of Hazleton, Pa., and to whom he was married Feb. 1, 1947 at St. Gabriel’s Church in Hazleton, Pa.
He later went on to graduate from Wilkes University in 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in business, commerce and finance.
Settling in Philipsburg in 1955, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus (fourth degree) at Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church.
He was actively involved with numerous organizations in Philipsburg, including the VFW, American Legion, AMVETs, Hungry Club, Black Bear Hunting Camp and the Elks where he was a life member of the Bay City Elks.
He was an active pilot from when he had his first lesson in Honolulu in 1940. He soloed in 1950 and flew regularly through the mid-70’s.
During that time, he owned several Piper aircraft. After a more than 20-year break, he took up flying again in the late 90’s, and he flew regularly until 2009. He was a member of UFO (United Flying Octogenarians).
He was preceded in death by his wife and all of his immediate family members, including his parents and four sisters.
Surviving him are his three children, Marie Celeste of Washington, D.C., William N. of Philipsburg, and Lawrence E. of Arlington, Va.
The picture of him was when he was 93 years old; he aged very well.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, 400 S. Fourth St., Philipsburg, with Father John Gibbons as celebrant.
A graveside service with military honors will follow at Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Cemetery, Philipsburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church, 400 S. Fourth St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.dahlgrenfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the David K. Dahlgren Funeral Home, 228 N. Centre St., Philipsburg, PA 16866.
