Albert "Al" Richard Essig, 85, passed into eternal rest June 18, 2012, at his home surrounded by family and friends. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 22, at Unity Church of Greater Waco, 400 S. First St., Hewitt, with the Rev. Margo J. Ford officiating. Visitations will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Waco Memorial Funeral Home.
Al was born in Rochester, N.Y, to the late William M. Essig and Maude Patterson Essig, one of five siblings. Al left high school at the age of 16 and joined the United States Army during World War II. He was a veteran of Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 82nd Airborne Division. Al participated in all four combat parachute drops in Europe as follows: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. This earned him four combat stars on his parachute badge, a distinction held by a very few, and what is even more amazing is, he did it before he turned 19. During the fighting in Holland, Al also participated in the daylight crossing of the Waal River in canvass boats depicted in the movie "A Bridge Too Far", in order to capture the Nijmegen Bridge intact. Three days later Al was captured by the Germans after an artillery barrage and held as POW for seven months. As a pathfinder for all four jumps, Al was among the first paratroopers in the air and on the ground leading the way for the main fighting force.
Then, this amazing man, after leaving the service of his country, went back to high school and received his diploma as well as being the valedictorian of his graduating class, all before he turned 21. Truly a shining example of what it means to be a member of the "Greatest Generation That Ever Lived."His family and country will always remember and cherish the memory of Al and his service to them both.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Mark R. Essig; and grandson, Steven Montgomery.
Al is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 49 years, Rosemarie Streber Essig; children, Karen Mullins and husband, Steve, of Eddy, Raymond Melens and wife, Gail, of Rochester, N.Y., and Sandra Cottingham and husband, Gary, of Valrico, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 6/20/2012...TG5(2)
Al was born in Rochester, N.Y, to the late William M. Essig and Maude Patterson Essig, one of five siblings. Al left high school at the age of 16 and joined the United States Army during World War II. He was a veteran of Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 82nd Airborne Division. Al participated in all four combat parachute drops in Europe as follows: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. This earned him four combat stars on his parachute badge, a distinction held by a very few, and what is even more amazing is, he did it before he turned 19. During the fighting in Holland, Al also participated in the daylight crossing of the Waal River in canvass boats depicted in the movie "A Bridge Too Far", in order to capture the Nijmegen Bridge intact. Three days later Al was captured by the Germans after an artillery barrage and held as POW for seven months. As a pathfinder for all four jumps, Al was among the first paratroopers in the air and on the ground leading the way for the main fighting force.
Then, this amazing man, after leaving the service of his country, went back to high school and received his diploma as well as being the valedictorian of his graduating class, all before he turned 21. Truly a shining example of what it means to be a member of the "Greatest Generation That Ever Lived."His family and country will always remember and cherish the memory of Al and his service to them both.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Mark R. Essig; and grandson, Steven Montgomery.
Al is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 49 years, Rosemarie Streber Essig; children, Karen Mullins and husband, Steve, of Eddy, Raymond Melens and wife, Gail, of Rochester, N.Y., and Sandra Cottingham and husband, Gary, of Valrico, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 6/20/2012...TG5(2)
Albert "Al" Richard Essig, 85, passed into eternal rest June 18, 2012, at his home surrounded by family and friends. Services will be 10 a.m. Friday, June 22, at Unity Church of Greater Waco, 400 S. First St., Hewitt, with the Rev. Margo J. Ford officiating. Visitations will be 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Waco Memorial Funeral Home.
Al was born in Rochester, N.Y, to the late William M. Essig and Maude Patterson Essig, one of five siblings. Al left high school at the age of 16 and joined the United States Army during World War II. He was a veteran of Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 82nd Airborne Division. Al participated in all four combat parachute drops in Europe as follows: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. This earned him four combat stars on his parachute badge, a distinction held by a very few, and what is even more amazing is, he did it before he turned 19. During the fighting in Holland, Al also participated in the daylight crossing of the Waal River in canvass boats depicted in the movie "A Bridge Too Far", in order to capture the Nijmegen Bridge intact. Three days later Al was captured by the Germans after an artillery barrage and held as POW for seven months. As a pathfinder for all four jumps, Al was among the first paratroopers in the air and on the ground leading the way for the main fighting force.
Then, this amazing man, after leaving the service of his country, went back to high school and received his diploma as well as being the valedictorian of his graduating class, all before he turned 21. Truly a shining example of what it means to be a member of the "Greatest Generation That Ever Lived."His family and country will always remember and cherish the memory of Al and his service to them both.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Mark R. Essig; and grandson, Steven Montgomery.
Al is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 49 years, Rosemarie Streber Essig; children, Karen Mullins and husband, Steve, of Eddy, Raymond Melens and wife, Gail, of Rochester, N.Y., and Sandra Cottingham and husband, Gary, of Valrico, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 6/20/2012...TG5(2)
Al was born in Rochester, N.Y, to the late William M. Essig and Maude Patterson Essig, one of five siblings. Al left high school at the age of 16 and joined the United States Army during World War II. He was a veteran of Company I, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 82nd Airborne Division. Al participated in all four combat parachute drops in Europe as follows: Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland. This earned him four combat stars on his parachute badge, a distinction held by a very few, and what is even more amazing is, he did it before he turned 19. During the fighting in Holland, Al also participated in the daylight crossing of the Waal River in canvass boats depicted in the movie "A Bridge Too Far", in order to capture the Nijmegen Bridge intact. Three days later Al was captured by the Germans after an artillery barrage and held as POW for seven months. As a pathfinder for all four jumps, Al was among the first paratroopers in the air and on the ground leading the way for the main fighting force.
Then, this amazing man, after leaving the service of his country, went back to high school and received his diploma as well as being the valedictorian of his graduating class, all before he turned 21. Truly a shining example of what it means to be a member of the "Greatest Generation That Ever Lived."His family and country will always remember and cherish the memory of Al and his service to them both.
Al was preceded in death by his son, Mark R. Essig; and grandson, Steven Montgomery.
Al is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 49 years, Rosemarie Streber Essig; children, Karen Mullins and husband, Steve, of Eddy, Raymond Melens and wife, Gail, of Rochester, N.Y., and Sandra Cottingham and husband, Gary, of Valrico, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.
Waco Tribune-Herald: 6/20/2012...TG5(2)
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