George Frederick Marin passed away peacefully Dec. 29, 2008, at his home in Oak Harbor at the age of 93. He was born Nov. 2, 1915, in Cleveland, Ohio, the child of Romanian and German immigrants. George was a proud first generation American.

In 1934, after graduation from high school, he joined the U.S. Navy and served four years, during which time he participated in a world cruise, visiting pre-war Germany. He was working in San Diego as a civilian aircraft metalsmith when Pearl Harbor was attacked in December of 1941. He immediately rejoined the Navy and was in Pearl Harbor by early February 1942. In 1943 and 1944 George served on the USS Enterprise (CV-6) and participated in several campaigns in the Pacific.

He was an instructor in Norman, Okla., in the early 1950s and then was assigned to a “Victor Willy” early warning squadron that was based at Barber’s Point, Hawaii. He was then transferred to Guam. In 1960, after five years living and working in the Pacific Islands, he moved his family to Oak Harbor. Except for a two-year tour of duty with VF-111 on the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) in the early 1960s, George lived the remainder of his life in Oak Harbor.

George retired after 27 years with the U.S. Navy, a veteran of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and then worked for 10 years at the Oak Harbor Post Office. He was well known about town as the “friendly postman” and had a quick smile and twinkle in his blue eyes that made people happy to see him.

He was preceded in death by his wife Irene Johnson, the mother of his sons Richard and John, and his wife Margaret McKenzie, mother of Sheila, Christine, George and Michael.

George loved music. He played the violin in his high school orchestra and continued to play for decades until arthritis slowed him down. He had a wonderful tenor singing voice and was known for singing ahead of the beat in congregational singing. It was a pleasure to hear him sing.

George was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an adult at the age of 26. He remained faithful to his beliefs throughout his life. He served in several church leadership positions throughout his life. Later he was a dedicated Sunday School class president – keeping teachers running on time and smoothly. He was also a dedicated home teacher.

He was a sturdy survivor. He contracted polio as a young father of two and spent over a year in a Navy hospital recovering. He insisted that by following doctor’s orders he was able to maintain the use of his “bum” left leg. His arthritis slowed him down, too, but it was only the mesothelioma diagnosed last August that took him out of his regular 30-minute-a-day stationary bicycle regimen.

George was a man of few words, direct and to the point. He was also a very loyal and appreciative friend.

He certainly enjoyed people-watching. For many years he regularly met with friends at the Navy Exchange to swap sea stories and to watch the pretty girls walk by.

He also loved his mobility and took twice-yearly road trips to visit his daughter Christine in Utah. His keen eyesight had him spotting eagles all over the island, and he loved just going out for a drive to see what was new.

George was very proud of his children, their children, and their children’s children. He remembered each of them with a crisp new $2 dollar bill and a card every birthday, and an additional remembrance at Christmas. While he was teased by Margaret that it wasn’t much money to send, his grandchildren looked forward to this dependable, tangible acknowledgement that he remembered them and that they were important to him.

He supported the young people in the church and in his family. With the senior lay leadership he funded gifts of hymnbooks for youth graduating from children’s primary. He supported missionaries within and outside of his own family with checks large and small, and the symbolic $2 bill intended to provide emergency money for missionaries serving in places far and near.

He is survived by his six children, Richard Marin of Edmonds, John Marin of Pomona, Calif., Sheila Duran of Winnetka, Ill., Christine Marin of Salt Lake City, Utah, George A. Marin of Oak Harbor, and Michael Marin of Gilbert, Ariz. He has 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

George lived a long and full life. He outlived two beautiful women that he loved very much. He was an example to all of us of dependability, of durability, and of enduring to the end. We will miss him.

Funeral services were held Jan. 3 with full military honors at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Oak Harbor. He was interred at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Those wishing to leave a remembrance are encouraged to contribute to the Salvation Army.