Benjamin Thaxter Mcgill

Benjamin Thaxter McGill, 92, of 1021 Royal Gardens Circle, Lake Mary, FL, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2016, at Oakmonte Memory Care, Lake Mary, FL.

Benjamin was born in Meadville, on February 4, 1924, a son of the late Earl W. and Julia (Thaxter) McGill.

Ben was a graduate of Shadyside Academy in Pittsburgh. After his freshman year at Carnegie Institute of Technology, he entered the US Army, joining 44th Engineer Combat Battalion. Ben was the recipient of the Purple Heart and the Croix de Guerre. He served in England, France and Belgium. During the Battle of the Bulge, he was taken prisoner. After a long march he was held in a German prison camp. He was liberated May 29, 1945. On June 11 of that year he married Eleanor Clancy at St. Brigid Church in Meadville and finished his Chemical Engineering degree at Carnegie Tech. Ben first worked for Valvoline in Freedom, PA then for Ashland Oil in Canton, OH and Ashland, KY, where he retired in 1984.

He was a member of Holy Family Parish in Ashland and had been a member of St. Anthony's Parish in Tionesta, PA. While there he served on the Parish Council and was a lector.

Ben enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, genealogy and traveling the world with his beloved Elly. He cherished his time spent with his family and friends.

Benjamin is survived by four children Patrick E. McGill and his wife Evelyn of Lexington, KY, John W. McGill and his wife Denise of Ashland, KY, Mary M. Lugar and her husband Dale of Columbus, OH, Benjamin T. McGill, Jr. and his wife Monica of Sanford, FL, seven grandchildren Christopher McGill, Julia McGill, William McGill, Clare Smyrell, Andrew Lugar, Matthew Lugar, Keira McGill, four great grandchildren, Alexander McGill, Yura McGill, Eric McGill, Madelyne Lugar, many nieces and nephews.

On June 30th of this year Eleanor, Ben's wife of 70 years, preceded him in death. He was also predeceased by a granddaughter Sarah E. McGill, a brother Robert McGill, a sister in law and her husband Bruce and Helen Jannot.

Family and friends are invited to call on Monday from 10-11 AM at STEPHEN P. MIZNER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 404 CHESTNUT ST., MEADVILLE.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 am at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church, 383 Arch St., Meadville, with Fr. Johnathan Schmolt, Pastor officiating.

Following Full Military Honors by VFW Post #2006, Ben will be laid to rest next to his wife, Eleanor, in St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Twp.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Anthony's Roman Catholic Church, 112 Bridge St., Tionesta, PA 16353.

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