Harold Raymond Marsolais

Harold Raymond Marsolais March 10, 1942 - January 2, 2014 Harold "Hal" Marsolais, age 71, of St. Augustine, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Bailey Family Center on Thursday, January 2, 2014 from complications of Parkinson's disease. Hal was born in 1942 in Troy, NY, and grew up in Sheffield Lake, OH. He spent his adult life serving his country in the U.S. Army and married the love of his life, Susan Lemieux, at Ft. Bragg, NC in 1964. He retired to St. Augustine, FL. Hal graduated from Brookside High School in 1959 in Sheffield Lake, OH. In 1973, he graduated Cum Laude from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in business, holds a Master's Degree in management, and is an honor graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. He was an author, lecturer and holds numerous academic and community awards including selection for Omicron Delta Kappa, the national honorary leadership fraternity. He is preceded in death by his parents, Harold G. and Viola M. (Chamberlain) Marsolais of Hudson, FL, and by a grandson, Sean P. O'Brien. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Susan Marsolais, and his cherished dog, Tillie. Also surviving him are his son, H. Raymond Marsolais, his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle (Marsolais) and William O'Brien, and his beloved granddaughters, Kelsey and Emma O'Brien. He is also survived by his three brothersDennis, Robert, and Richard Marsolaishis sisters-in-law and several nieces and nephews. Hal served in the military for 22 years. He was a paratrooper, a helicopter pilot and a highly decorated Vietnam veteran. His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal for Valor, three Bronze Stars, three Meritorious Service medals, three Army Commendation Awards, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and numerous other decorations. His foreign awards include the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Vietnam Medal of Honor. After retiring from the military, he had a 20-year career in association management, serving as managing director of several regional and national associations. Interment with full military honors will be held at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. on a beautiful Spring Day. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Hal's name to the Salvation Army or the Wounded Warriors Project. St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.