Russ Agar, WWII Vet, Former City Post Office Employee
Russell J. Agar of Washington Twp., passed away on October 21, 2006 at the age of 90. He is the husband of the late Evva L. (Wilhelm) father of Carol A. Funk, (George D.) of Washington Twp., NJ and Dr. John R. Agar, Jr. (Beatrice A.) of Newtown Square, PA. His brother Edward B. Agar, grandchildren Janice Ray (James), Steven Funk, Rebekah Agar, and Sarah Agar, and great grandchildren Aidan Ray and Sadie Ray also survive him.
Mr. Agar was born November 25, 1915, one of nine children of Edward and Catherine Agar (Morozzi). He graduated from Gloucester City High School during the Depression and initially found work as a truck driver. In 1938, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and retired after 20 years of service as a hospital corpsman, having served during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. After an additional 16 years with the United States Postal Service, he ended his career as Superintendent of the Mails with the Gloucester City Post Office, for a total of 36 years of service to the federal government.
During World War II, he sailed to French Morocco on the USS West Point (the SS America outfitted as a troop ship), and was assigned to Fleet Air Wing 15 near Casablanca. In Africa, he flew 8-10 hour antisubmarine patrols and air-sea rescue missions over the Atlantic Ocean in PBY's (Flying Boats). During his Naval career, he sailed throughout the Caribbean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. He went through the Panama Canal 3 times, crossed the equator multiple times, and sailed to ports on both coasts of the United States and in Brazil, Columbia, Cuba, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Albania, Sicily, Malta, Crete and many other smaller countries and islands. His last assignment was with the Fourth Naval District Medical Staff Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. When he retired from the Navy, he held rank of Warrant Officer.
Mr. Agar was a resident of NJ most of his life, living primarily in Gloucester City or Brooklawn, and was a longtime member of the Episcopal Church of the Ascension where he served on the Vestry.
Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday from 10 am to 11 am at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 110 Sussex St., and Gloucester City. A Mass of Resurrection and Burial Office will follow at 11 am. There is no evening viewing. Interment will be private at the request of the family.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in his name be made to: John Russell Agar Nursing Scholarship, DCCC Educational Foundation, Delaware County Community College, 901 South Media Line Road, Media, PA 19063-1094.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the ETHERINGTON-CRERAN FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City,
