Martin S. Yauga, 90, of Concord died Monday April 28, 2014 in Concord. He was the beloved husband of the late Jean (Tombeno) Yauga.
Born in Cambridge on March 27, 1924 he was the son of the late William Vincent Yauga and Kazamira Yauga. He grew up in Harvard and attended Harvard schools. In his youth he worked at the family farm in Harvard and also at Vinegar Works in Littleton.
During World War II, Mr. Yauga enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. He served with the Marines in the Pacific Theatre of Operations at Guam, Guadalcanal, Bouganville and Iwo Jima, where he received two Purple Heart awards. For his service, he was also awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy and USCG Unit Commendation Ribbon Bar and Sharpshooter Rifle Badge.
Following military service, he worked at General Motors in Framingham, Mattison's Farm in Concord, and also as owner and operator of his own bicycle shop in West Concord.
Mr. Yauga was appointed to the Concord Police Department in November of 1951, became a Sergeant in 1962 and Inspector in 1970. He retired as Inspector after thirty-one years of service in 1982. He was an employee of the former Macone's Sporting Goods Store in Concord in the late 1960's.
Upon retirement he continued planting a vegetable garden that was the talk of the neighborhood. It contained no flowers. He told people "If you can't eat it, you don't plant it". He also worked after retirement at Phillips Hardware in West Concord.
In 2009 he was selected to be the Parade Marshall for the Patriots Day and Memorial Day parades in Concord. The American flag in his front yard was raised each morning and lowered at sunset. He taught his grandson, John, to carry on this tradition. He took great pride in being a Marine and in displaying the American flag. Martin's interview about his experiences in the Pacific during World War II was aired on CCTV throughout the month of April 2014.
On April 14, 2012 he flew to Washington, DC with HONOR FLIGHT New England to visit the War Memorials. He enjoyed them all, particularly the World War II Memorial.
He was a Lifetime member of the Musketaquid Sportsmen's Club in Concord where he enjoyed his 90th birthday celebration. He was a member of the Pistol team at the Club. He also was a former member of the Concord Lodge of Elks and Concord Rod and Gun Club.
He was the father of Martin S. Yauga Jr. of Keene, NH and Michael Yauga and his wife Joann of Concord and Littleton, papa of Andrew Yauga and John Yauga, brother of Adolph Yauga of FL and the late Helen McKnight and Lee Jason and loving partner of Bette Cunningham.
Concord's town flag will fly at half-staff on Friday May 2nd in recognition of Mr. Yauga's military service.
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Visiting hours will be held Friday May 2nd from 10 AM to 12 Noon at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford Street, CONCORD CENTER.
A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday May 2nd at 12:15 P.M. at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Bedford St., (Rte. 62) Concord Center.
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In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org).
Arrangements under the care of DEE FUNERAL HOME. OF CONCORD, Susan M. Dee and Charles W. Dee,Jr., Funeral Directors.
To share a remembrance in the online guest book, please visit www.deefuneralhome.com
