James McGinn, 73, of Bentleyville, died at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, October 4, 1997, following a lengthy illness. Mr. McGinn, an avid soccer player, was raised in Van Voorhis and worked 40 years for Bethlehem Steel Corp.'s Mine No. 51, until his retirement in 1985. He was a member of Ave Maria Parish, UMWA Local 1197, the American Legion Post 165 and a charter member of the former Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5454, both of Bentleyville. Mr. McGinn was a veteran of World War II, who was awarded two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. He served as a private first class with the U.S. Army, Company E, 188th Parachute Infantry, 11th Airborne Division in Luzon, New Guinea and the Philippines. In 1949, he married Genevieve Dormo, who died January 6, 1996. Surviving are two daughters, Kathleen Watkins of Ellsworth and Linda Wright of Bentleyville; three grandchildren, Jennifer Watkins and Jae and Brian Wright; a sister, Mrs. Andy (Mary) Puskarich of Bentleyville; and several nieces and nephews. Also deceased are a brother, Owen McGinn and a sister, Julia Gesko. Copyright ©1997 Observer Publishing Co. Last updated Monday, October 6, 1997 James McGinn
WW II vet earned two Bronze Stars, Purple Heart
He was born May 31, 1924, in Sturgeon, a son of Owen and Martha Mitchell McGinn.