BOGATZ, Philip Bogatz, beloved husband of Marvis (Sweig) Bogatz for 64 years passed away September 10, 2010 at Hartford Hospital. Born in Meriden, CT November 1923, he was the son of the late Mollie and Hyman Bogatz, Phil has been a Newington resident for 57 years. For all who knew Phil, they would agree that he was insightful, compassionate, and filled with love for his family and friends. He was well known for his gentle personality, intuitive humor, and always making others feel good about themselves. Phil loved a great meal, and was always provided one by his loving wife, Marvis. His life was rich with people, always seeing the best in others, working in his chosen profession and enjoying a bit of free time doing the things he liked best: socializing with friends, spectator sports, UConn Basketball, and reading. Phil has been in the shoe industry for all his life and worked until age 86; he has been a Temple Sinai member since 1956. Phil joined the U.S. Marine Corp. in Sept. 1942 and received his military training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon completion, he was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA. Additionally, for further training he was shipped to Roi Namur, Marshall Islands in the Pacific where he saw battle. Phil was then sent to Saipan and Tinian, the Mariana Islands, where he was wounded and received two Presidential Unit Citations. On February 1945, he landed on the beach of Iwo Jima. Phil was awarded two Purple Heart medals for wounds received in action. He also received the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in connection with operations against the enemy, while serving as a machine gun section leader in a rifle company on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands on February 19, 1945. He landed with his section in assault and completely disregarding his own personal safety, accurately directed the fire from his guns against targets, though it was necessary for him to take exposed positions. Though seriously wounded, he refused evacuation, contributing to the destruction of pillboxes. His citation read, “his courageous conduct throughout were in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Marine Service” by Major General Cates. Phil was then sent to California Navel Hospital for surgery and remained there recuperating for eight months. He received his honorable discharge November 1945. While Phil lived a long life, it was not without pain and discomfort. Over the last years, Phil was challenged with chronic and sometimes an acute coronary condition, as well as many other ailments. In spite of all of these illnesses, Phil always maintained a positive attitude, kept a smile on his face, and demonstrated continued interest in others. Through his many illnesses, he developed a tremendous rapport with his physicians, Dr. Ely and Dr. Kallal, as well as the many compassionate staff at Hartford Hospital. We thank you all for the quality of care you provided Phil during these difficult times. Besides his loving wife, he leaves his daughter Karen Gaffey and her husband David of Bristol, his daughter Debra Bogatz and her son, Michael Connerty, of Avon, his sister Doris Cohen of Simsbury, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Jack and Norman Bogatz and his sister, Ruth Bisberg. Funerals services will be held on Monday (September 13, 2010) at 11 a.m. Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington with interment at Temple Sinai Memorial Park with full military honors. Burial will follow at the adjacent Temple Sinai Memorial Park. Family and friends will be received immediately afterward at Temple Sinai. Weinstein Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Temple Sinai, 41 West Hartford Road, Newington, CT 06111 or to the Iwo Jima Memorial Historical Foundation, Inc., PO Box 310516, Newington, CT 06131.