Arthur R. Markey, age 81, of Northville, passed away at home on Sunday, June 3, 2012.
He was born in Glen Dale, W.Va., on November 10, 1930, the son of the late Richard and Mary (Rogers) Markey.
On May 11, 1991, Art married Sharon (Bennett-Ford) Markey. They shared 21 years united in marriage.
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Mr. Markey
Former Staff Sgt. Art Markey began his Marine Corps career when his reserve engineer outfit was called to active Korea duty in the summer of 1950. Then-Pvt. Markey arrived to the war zone just in time for the Chosin Reservoir campaign, where he served with a machine gun squad with Baker Co., 5th Marines. He stayed in-country until early June when he was medically evacuated to Japan and eventually the United States.
A tour with Marine Barracks, Newport, R.I., ended his active duty in 1952, but he re-enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve while attending college in Connecticut to major in writing and English literature. Four years as a civilian, however, proved to Art that he belonged in the Marine Corps. By this time a Reserve buck sergeant, he joined the regulars and was sent to Quantico, Va., where he was then sent to the Navy's Journalist School "A" course at Great Lakes, Ill.
He worked on the Quantico Sentry until orders came to fill a support billet at a recruiting station in Macon, Ga. before returning to the Globe staff at Camp Lejeune. Now a staff sergeant, he returned to Great Lakes, Ill. for the advanced "JO" course. When a spinal injury at Camp Lejeune forced him into medical retirement, Art headed to Missouri to break into the civilian newspaper game. He worked for daily papers in Missouri and Illinois before settling in upstate New York, where he worked as a general assignment reporter, feature writer and columnist for the Knickerbocker News in Albany and later, the Albany Times Union from which he retired in 1991 after 23 years of service.
Art had an undying love of the United States Marine Corps. He served as commandant and adjutant for the Marine Corps League Adirondack Detachment No. 787 in Mayfield as well as a Toys for Tots volunteer. He also competed in military high power rifle matches with the Marine Corps League. Additionally, he was formerly a state certified EMS instructor, volunteer EMT, patrol leader for the National Nordic Ski Patrol, and a tutor and instructor with the Literacy Volunteers of Fulton County.
Art is survived by his wife, Sharon Markey of Northville; a son, Sean Markey (Judith) of Peacham, Vt.; two daughters, Gretchen Markey of Northville and Ellen Linza of Aldie, Va.; two stepchildren, James Ford (Kirsten) of Germany and Jessica Smrtic (James Schlesier) of Johnstown; eight grandchildren; and a brother, Warren Markey.
Additional survivors include the mother of his children, Marcia Markey, as well as several nieces.
There will be no calling hours or funeral services. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday June 19, 2012, at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871. The arrangements have been entrusted to the Jeffords & Stewart Funeral Home, 85 West Main Street, Broadalbin. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Art may be made to the Marine Corps League Adirondack Detachment No. 787, P.O. Box 145, Northville, NY 12134 or to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204.
Please visit the family's online guestbook at www.brbsfuneral.com