Colonel Philip P. Thivierge

THIVIERGE, Colonel Philip P. 93, a decorated World War II veteran, devoted husband of sixty-six years to Ruth M. (Berthel) Thivierge, passed away peacefully in his home in Pelham, N.H., on September 12, 2008. Besides his wife, he is survived by a loving family; a daughter Connie Sue Spencer and her husband Ed of NY, NY; a son Peter A. Thivierge and his wife Linda of Huntington, NY; a granddaughter S. Amy Spencer of NY, NY, Two grandsons Philip J. Spencer and Douglas A. Thivierge both of Boston, MA; a sister Yvonne Rosko of Salem, NH and several nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of the late Natalie Randlett and Jean Mason. Born in Lowell, MA, on September 10, 1915, the son of the late Paul and the late Mary (Pope) Thivierge, he graduated from Melrose High School in 1934. A star athlete there, he excelled at both football and hockey and was perennially selected to the regional All-Star teams in both. After high school, he bravely answered the call of his country, sacrificed a promising career as a professional hockey player, and enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard on April 30, 1935. He attended the Massachusetts Military Academy and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. On January 4, 1941, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and was activated on January 16, 1941. He served his country valiantly as a forward observer in the 60th Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, in battle in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe. As an example of his heroism, he landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France with a pistol and a radio three days before D-Day, and relayed valuable information to the Allied forces that saved many lives. For his service, General Omar Bradley awarded him with a Silver Star on October 30, 1944. He earned numerous other service medals, including a second Silver Star, and ribbons in the course of his military career. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he supervised the testing of the Honest John missile, the nation's first ballistic missile, in Las Vegas, NV. Colonel Thivierge retired following a 40-year career in the U.S. Army Reserves. He graduated with High Honors from Northeastern University on June 16, 1957, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After a career with the Potter Drug and Chemical Corp. in Malden, MA. He retired as Vice President of the Duveen Soap Corp. in NY, NY. The consummate leader in civilian life as well, he served his community as the President of the Malden, Massachusetts, Chamber of Commerce and, in retirement, as the Water Conservation Officer for the Town of Pelham, NH. A Funeral Service will be held at the PELHAM FUNERAL HOME, 11 NASHUA RD, PELHAM, NH, on the Thursday morning, September 18, 2008, at 10:30 o'clock. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his memory to: the Pelham Police Relief Assoc., 14 Village Green, Pelham, NH, 03076, or the Pelham Fireman's Assoc., P.O. Box 321 Pelham, NH 03076.