John J. Milligan

John J. Milligan, always called Jack, 82, died Sunday, March 28, 2010 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, MA Born in Buffalo, New York, son of the late John Jay and Elizabeth (Bissel) Milligan, and brother of the late Betsy J. Ball (Milligan) and the late Barbara (Fries) Harrison. At age 5 the family moved to Rye, New York where Jack grew up. He graduated from Rye High School at the age of 16, a year early because he attended summer school enabling him to enlist, on his seventeenth birthday, with parental permission, in the United States Marine Corps. He served and saw combat with the First Marine Division, Rifle Company, WW II. He was wounded at Okinawa. After recovery he was assigned Captains Orderly on a troop ship that transported American G.I.s home from Europe back to the States and then returning German prisoners of war back to Europe. Honorably discharged Jack enrolled in Syracuse University, N.Y., graduating Class of 1951 on the deans list. He was recalled by the Marine Corps, sent to Officers Candidate School and deployed to Korea as a lieutenant. During the Korean Conflict he served once more with the First Marine Division, Rifle Company. He was co-commander of a company of 250 Korean marines of whom he assisted in training and led them in combat on the West Coast of the Kimpo Peninsula. He also saw action at Chosin Reservoir. In 1958 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. As a civilian, he worked for Burlington Industries, Hosiery Division as a sales/marketing manager, traveling extensively to accounts cross country. Health problems caused him to retire prematurely. Jack loved the beach, swimming, was a sports and music buff and loved nature and all animals. Surviving Jack is his long time companion Eve Anderson Kopel of Topsfield, his beloved children, Patricia Ann Milligan Taylor of Crystal Lake, Illinois and Peter Michael Milligan of Haverhill, Mass., his six grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and cousin Raymond P. Chadwick of Tully, New York. ARRANGEMENTS: A memorial service will be held graveside, in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield, at a later date. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Peterson ODonnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St. (Rte. 62) Danvers. On line guestbook at www.legacy.com. For more information, inquire at 978-774-6600. Donations may be made in Jacks memory, to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923.