Samuel Bird

Samuel Bird of Matamoras, Pa., died peacefully on June 16, 2017. He was 92.
Son of the late Samuel and Harriet Palmer Bird, he was born in Irvington, N.J., on Sept. 28, 1924.
He lived most of his life in this area after moving to Beemerville, N.J., with his family when he was six. He had a variety of jobs and businesses over the years, all centering on his love of plants. He built greenhouses early in his career and raised and sold plants both retail and wholesale. He later owned a soil plant and did landscaping well into his eighties.
One of his proudest achievements was that he enlisted in World War II and served in the Army Air Corps, Eighth Air Force, 381 Bombardment Group. He was trained in airplane mechanics, stationed in England and flew missions over occupied Europe as a ball turret and tail gunner, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.
His love of nature and gardening will live on through his family.
Survivors include his daughters, Pamela, and husband, Herman Schaefer, of Matamoras, with whom he resided, Linda and husband, William O'Hara, of Hawley, Pa., and Debra and husband, Francis Miro, of Dalla, Texas; grandson, Remy; sister, Sharon and husband, Anthony Perna, of Middletown, N.Y.; nephew, Andrew and wife, Linda Skellenger; niece, Rebecca and husband, Brian O'Connell; and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He is also survived by his beloved cat Eli, who misses him dearly.
He was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and sisters Laura Skellenger and Joan Rush.
Visitation was held at Stroyan Funeral Home in Milford on June 20 and 21. Funeral services were held at the funeral home on June 20. Burial followed in Beemerville, Cemetery, Wantage Township, N.J., with Military Honors.
Memorial donations may be made to the Pike County Humane Society, PO Box 255, Milford, PA 18337.