Laconia-----Walter Peter Markot, a former resident of Laconia, died on Monday, May 30th, 2016, in his 99th year. The 75-year resident of Laconia had moved to Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, five years ago to be near his daughter and son-in-law.
The son of Stanley and Rozalia (Honkowicz) Markot, Walter was born in Palmer, Massachusetts, on October 30th, 1917, the fifth of six children. Upon graduating from high school, where he had been a gifted athlete, Walter joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and served for two years, assisting in the construction of federal projects in central Maine. After his release from the corps in 1937, Walter moved to Laconia to work for his brother-in-law and, soon after his arrival, met Lucille, his bride-to-be, whom he married in May 1942.
During those first years in Laconia, Walter, mesmerized from his youth by the thought of being a pilot and determined to make his dream a reality, sought admission to the U.S. Army Air Corps. Informed that, to be accepted, he would first have to pass a battery of academic exams, he taught himself a range of advanced subjects such as trigonometry, passed the required exams, and was indeed accepted. After months of rigorous study and flight training, during which most of his fellow recruits “washed out,” he was awarded his wings on August 5th, 1942.
At MacDill Air Base in Tampa, Florida, Walter became one of the original first pilots in the 450th Bomber Squadron and learned to fly the B-26, a medium bomber so difficult to master that “one a day in Tampa Bay” became a catch phrase for military personnel and local civilians alike.
While stationed at Bury St. Edmonds in England, Walter flew his first of 11 missions with the 322nd Squadron. Given his unusual piloting prowess, however, he became a lead pilot, joined the First Pathfinder Squadron, and subsequently led a formation of 33 B-26s on 55 missions, among them the first night mission for U.S. “mediums.” He flew his final mission on February 2, 1945. In recognition of his contributions, Walter received, among other citations and awards, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 10 oak-leaf clusters, and the ETO ribbon with 5 campaign stars. He retired from military service as a lieutenant colonel.
In civilian life Walter worked in sales and, after employment with Eutectic Welding Alloys and Dakin Sporting Goods, served for 25 years as an agent for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Retiring in 1980 gave him ample time to spend traveling with his first love, Lucille; visiting his second love, his children and grandchildren; and playing his third love, golf. An original member of the Laconia Country Club, he played countless rounds there and was its oldest active member before moving to Mt. Pleasant. The pilot extraordinaire also became an accomplished golfer, “shooting his age” on numerous occasions from his late sixties into his early nineties (a 92 at 92).
Preceded in death in 2001 by Lucille (Blais) Markot, his wife of 59 years, Walter leaves his sons and daughter: W. Brian Markot and his wife, Marina, of Ithaca, New York; Bruce Markot of Middletown, Connecticut; and Janet Guyer and her husband, Pierce, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. He also leaves his grandsons: Peter Markot and his wife, Connie; Stephen Markot; Timothy Markot; and Matthew Markot; other family members including Paulina Bitar, Elizaveta Roberts, several great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews also survive him.
Calling Hours will be Sunday, June 5, 2016 from 2:00-4:00pm at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Andre Bessette Parish, St. Josephs Church, 30 Church St. Laconia NH, on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 11:00am.
Committal services will follow at Bayside Cemetery, Laconia.
In lieu of flowers, those who wish may donate to Memorial donations may be made to the Laconia High School Class of 1940 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247-7312.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information or to sign an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.