
Herbert is survived by his 4 sons Kevin, Stephen, Patrick and Joseph Wilson and daughter Maureen Palfy. Herbert was orphaned when his mother died at 6 years old. He and his siblings were raised at Saint Vincent's Catholic Orphanage in Latrobe Pa.
Herbert served as a Naval Officer in Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD). Joining the US Navy at 17. Herbert was educated at Cornell University in the V-12 Program and Georgia Tech earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Upon graduation and completing the 54 week EOD training Herbert saw active duty in the Pacific campaign against Japan and was involved in the invasion of Okinawa and other actions. Herbert was selected and was a Deep Sea Hard Hat Diving Expert. Followed by duties in China and Japan including the Imperial Palace of Japan protecting General Douglas MacArthur in Japan.
After World War II, Herbert married Alice McDermott until Alice's death in 2003. Herbert was re-activated and was in combat aboard Navy Destroyers and Battleships in shore bombardments supporting American Troops in the Korean Conflict, His ship suffered a torpedo hit that was a dud, Herbert was tasked to disarm and remove the below deck torpedo from the ship to the gratitude of fellow shipmates.
Upon honorable discharge from the Navy, Herbert worked in Aerospace as an engineer in the Polaris, Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile and the Apollo space program.
In the 1960's, Herbert founded an Electric Car Company, though 50 years before his time and the business failed. 1 prototype was produced and sold for scrap. Herbert was active into his senior years earning his 3rd Masters Degree from New Haven University at a 65 year old and taught high school briefly in Bridgeport.
Herbert was active in his Church St. Thomas of Ridgefield, CT
There will be a service at Leo P. Gallagher Funeral home on Summer Street in Stamford, CT On Monday April 4th at 10:00AM. Followed by a burial at the CT Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, CT. at 1:00 PM.
Herbert was practicing charity and helping his fellow Americans long before it became fashionable. In the 1960's, Herbert would pick up a down and out man on the street and bring him home to feed him, clothe him, council him, and put him back on his feet with a chance to prevail. Herbert would see it through in short order, until the man had an apartment, car, job, church program, rehab program and then Herbert would simply wish him the best. Herbert never sought recognition, nor shared his story, only exemplifying Christian missionary style behavior by his generous actions. During the massive flooding in Cornwall New York, Herbert spent every weekend rebuilding homes destroyed for the flooding.
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