Notes |
The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona,
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
Russell Vincent St. Pierre, 93, of Prescott, Ariz., died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, in Prescott. He was born Oct. 29, 1919, in Fall River, Mass.
He was an avid athlete from his youth, playing semi-pro baseball, and stayed at it until his late 80s teaching tennis. He enlisted in the Army Air Force the day after Pearl Harbor, applied for pilot training and graduated in class '43D. Upon receiving his wings, he was assigned to the C-47 and was sent to India to fly the infamous "hump," where he flew dozens of combat missions.
In December 1944 he was shot down hundreds of miles behind Japanese lines, but after weeks of evasion, he led his crew back to safety. He left active duty in 1946 but remained in the reserves until the mid-1970s, retiring as a major.
After WWII, he went to work for the Paper Mate Pen Co. as the quality control manager and remained with them for more than 30 years, retiring in 1985 to Prescott. He enjoyed traveling, teaching tennis, and helping raise two sets of grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by grandson, Jack Yates.
He is survived by his brother, Ray of Hampton, N.H.; daughter Sharon Yates (George) of Rancho Conejo, Calif.; son Russell (Kathy) of Prescott; three grandchildren, Cindi Campos, Eddie and Harry; and three great-grandchildren.
He was liked by all who met him and loved by all who knew him. He was a good man. He will be missed.
Committal service with military honors will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, at the Prescott National Cemetery.
Please sign Russell's online guestbook at www.heritagemortuary.com
Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary.
Information provided by survivors. Source: Russell Vincent St. Pierre Find A Grave memorial # 103309799
|