Paul Patrick Poster's Obituary
Paul Patrick Poster
March 11, 1924 ~ March 15, 2017
Paul Patrick Poster of Scappoose, Oregon was born March 11th, 1924 in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Paul was born to Josef and Bertha Poster, Hungarian immigrants who came to the USA through Ellis Island, New York.
Paul enlisted in the Merchant Marines for World War II on December 17, 1941 when he was 17 years old. He served in the Merchant Marines for 30 years. During World War II, two of his ships were torpedoed and sunk. While in the North Sea on the SS Balladier, a German U-boat sunk his ship and he was one of a few to make it to the life raft and survive. He was also torpedoed a second time while on the SS Thomas Sinnickson off the coast of Recife, Brazil and survived again. On June 6, 1944 during the D-Day invasion his ship hit a mine on the fourth day, blowing the bow of the ship off, and once again he survived.
He was awarded the Merchant Marine Emblem for combat service in WWII.
Paul was one of the longest tenured volunteer drivers for the Department of Human Services for over 13 years where he drove the sick and disabled to and from their appointments.
Paul had a passion for sports, fishing, and gardening. He attended his grandchildren's sporting events frequently and he fished for 22 years straight and would catch his own fish and eat it that night for dinner. He was great at growing roses, kale, and pears.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Patti Keim; son, Robert Poster; son, Joseph Poster; his grandchildren; Ryan Poster and Emily Poster.
A Graveside Service and burial for Paul will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 3pm at the Columbia Memorial Gardens, 54490 Columbia River Hwy. Scappoose, OR 97056.
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