Harry Putnam Jr.

PUTNAM, HARRY Jr. Saginaw Township, MI Harry Putnam, Jr., age 87, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, November 29, 2013 after a brief bout of lung cancer. The son of late Harry and Rose (Pitowski) was born in Saginaw, MI on October 26, 1926. Harry attended Arthur Hill Trade School through 11th grade (later receiving his GED) when he left to join the U.S. Navy serving in the amphibious corps. After being wounded on duty aboard an LST, he was discharged and spent several months at the Bethesda Naval Medical Hospital. He worked a few odd jobs before transitioning to managing 17 service stations throughout the state of Michigan. In having the desire to become his own boss, he took a position in the insurance industry, and shortly after he built his own agency, Putnam Insurance Agency, in Old Towne Saginaw. It later became Putnam and Putnam Insurance, and finally Putnam, Putnam, Porath, and Associates. He also founded Structured Annuities, Inc., Putnam Credit Life Agency, and in 1999 at the age of 72, he co-founded Future Insurance Agency on State Street in Saginaw. Harry was a member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He served on the Board of Directors of Muskegon Teachers Credit Union, as well as holding a position as the President of the Fordney Club in 1967-68 during his many years of membership. Additionally, he was a member of the One Hundred Club, past member of the Pioneer Club, Rotary Club, the Pulaski Club, the American Legion, and the Saginaw Life Insurance Association. He also served on the advisory council of Federal Home Life Insurance for many years. In the later years, he was especially proud of being a member of the Friday Night Supper/Travel Club, from which he leaves behind many dear friends. Harry is survived by his wife Connie (Ellery) of 35 years, his children Mark (Sally) Putnam, Michael (Barbara) Putnam, and Marsha (Brian) Porath, and his step-children Brad (Sherry) Lewinski - all of Saginaw - as well as Lisa (Tom) Myers of Ohio. He also leaves grandchildren Sarah Putnam, Scott (Jennifer) Putnam, Jeffrey Putnam, Natalie (Nicholas) Murray, Douglas Putnam, Stephanie Putnam, Holly Porath, Jacob Porath, Sean Porath, Trevor Lewinski, Taylor Lewinski, and Matthew Gray, as well as great-grandchildren Charisma Gray, Abigayle and Harrison Putnam, and Emily Murray. He is also survived by his younger brother James (Marilyn) Putnam and many special nieces and nephews. Harry was preceded in death by brother Nelson Putnam, and sisters Dorothy Lambert and Lorraine Putnam, grandchild Erin Porath, and great-grandchild Jasper Gray. A funeral liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 4735 W. Michigan. Rev. Fr. John Johnson will officiate, with burial in St. Andrew Cemetery. Military Honors will be under the auspices of American Legion Post #439. His family will receive friends at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road, from 2:00 8:00 p.m. on Monday, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday. Friends and family may then gather at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donating to the Visiting Nurse Association and the Saginaw Underground Railroad. www.casefuneralhome.com

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company Mackinaw Funeral Chapel
4480 Mackinaw Road
Saginaw, MI
US 48603