Robert M Mcelligott

Robert M. McElligott, 78, of La Crosse, died on Friday, November 18, 2011 in his home. He was born on February 24, 1933 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Thomas J. and Lucille (Jabusch) McElligott. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc, WI in 1950. He attended St. Norberts College in De Pere, WI and Marquette University in Milwaukee. He graduated from UW-La Crosse with a degree in economics in 1976. He married Marilyn A. Franz on May 25, 1957 in Manitowoc, WI. Commander McElligott served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years as a naval aviator. He retired in 1974 as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Reserve Center in La Crosse. After his naval service, he held a variety of positions, including a pilot for the DNR. He was a member of the Mens Club at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, where he also served as usher. He also did volunteer work at Gundersen Lutheran. He was a member of Military Officers Association of America and American Legion Post 52 of La Crosse. Above all, Robert enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Marilyn, his children Mary (Monte) Johnson of Roseville, MN and their children Melanie, Merrick and MacKenzie, Robert (Donna) McElligott of Kinderhook, NY and their children Deborah Erin (Keith) Puro and R. Drew, Michael (Patricia) McElligott of Westborough, MA and their children Jennifer, Michael, Matthew and Shawn, Richard (Nancy) McElligott of Brooklyn Park, MN and their children Allyson and Elizabeth and Patrick (Mary Jane) McElligott of La Crosse, WI and their children Kyle and Christine, two great grandchildren Jordan and Cora Puro, a sister Mary Castellano of Denver, CO, two brothers James McElligott of Denver, CO and William (Audrey) McElligott of Cape Coral, FL, two sisters-in-law Geraldine Franz of Newhall, CA and Marjorie Poublon of Sun City Center,FL, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Thomas R. and Patrick E., his father and mother- in- law Raymond and Lorine (Jens) Franz, brothers-in-law Stephen A. Castellano, Raymond C. Franz, Gerald J. Franz and Thomas F. Franz, two nephews Stephen J. Castellano and Joseph Castellano.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman. Revs . Charles D. Stoetzel and Robert J. Cook will concelebrate. Entombment, with military honors, will follow in the St. Francis of Assisi Mausoleum, Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. S., La Crosse on Monday from 4-7 PM where a prayer service will be held at 4:00 PM. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday at the church from 9:30 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman, Aquinas High School or Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Roberts physicians at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, Dr. Alan Pratt, Dr. Thomas Londergan, Dr. Marvin Van Every and Dr. Thomas Cogbill for their exceptional care.