New Bedford – Montgomery H. Throop, 86, of Westport died Saturday, November 20, 2004 at Sacred Heart Home after a long illness. He was the husband of Milicent B. (Whittall) Throop.
He was born in Shanghai, China of Episcopal Missionaries, son of the late Montgomery H. and Elizabeth (Nichols) Throop, and resided there for 15 years before attending Kent School and Columbia University. He was a Westport resident for 20 years. Prior to his retirement in 1976 he was a personnel manager for I.B.M. in Poughkeepsie, NY.
Mr. Throop served his country in World War II as a decorated combat fighter pilot with the Eighth Air Force, 357th Fighter Group. His decorations and citations included: European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and 1 Oak Leaf Cluster and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. He flew 81 combat missions in European Theater as a P-47, P-51 and Spitfire pilot. He flew 8 group leads and was squadron leader on 25 missions. He served 3 ½ months as commanding officer of fighter squadron and 3 months as commanding officer of a training squadron.
He pursued a lifelong love of music as a tenor soloist, and sang locally with the Sippican Choral Society, New Bedford Choral Society and the Southcoast Choral Society. He also was an avid sailor and ocean voyager. He was a member of the Paskamansett Bird Club.
Including his widow he is survived by 2 sons: Christopher P. Throop of Birmingham, AL and Montgomery H. Throop III. of Lantana, FL; a sister: Rachel Bayer of Bethleham, PA; a granddaughter: Kristen Throop Boucher of Las Vegas, NV; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial graveside service with military honors to which relatives and friends are invited will be Saturday, April 23, 2005 at Beech Grove Cemetery, Westport at 11:00 A.M.
Calling hours are respectfully omitted.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Massachusetts Audubon Society, Allens Pond Sanctuary, 208 S. Great Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773.