Hugh Cresswell

Hugh Elmer (Pat) Cresswell age 86 formerly of Rochester Hills, MI died Saturday, February 2, 2008 in Placida, Florida.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 11:00 A.M at the St. Louis First United Methodist Church. Pastor Terri Bentley will officiate with burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Chesaning, MI. at 1:30 P.M. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service from 10-11 AM.
He was born on April 22, 1921 in St. Louis, MI the son of John Elmer and Vera (Henry ) Cresswell. Mr. Cresswell graduated in 1940 from St. Louis High School. He attended Alma College and completed officers training at Western Michigan University before proudly serving in Work War II and the Korean War. He served as a Captain in the Marine Corps, training troops for the amphibious tank divisions. He was stationed in the Pacific and was part of the occupation forces stationed outside Nagasaki, Japan. Pat was married to Marilyn M. Miller on June 28, 1943 in Petoskey, Michigan and they celebrated 63 years of married life before she died in March, 2007. They were residents of Rochester Hills, MI for most of their married lives and enjoyed being members of North Star Sail Club where Pat was an avid sailboat racer and winner of the 1972 Mackinac Race. He was also a member of the Masons, Kiwanis, Elks, and Macomb County Independent Agents Association.
Pat was owner and President of The Cresswell Insurance Agency in Utica, Michigan which he founded in 1954. In 1974 he established Oakland General Underwriters in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He retired in 1991 to enjoy time between Charlevoix, MI and Placida, FL. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, cultivation flowers, watching football and he had a great love for animals.
His devotion to his family, strength of convictions, strong leadership, honesty, independent spirit, sense of humor, and tender heart allowed him the ability to be successful in business as well as personal friendships while always focusing on the future.
Mr. Cresswell is survived by his devoted son, James T. (Candace) Cresswell of Harrison Township with whom he shared a special bond and partnership, not only in business but in all aspects of life, one daughter Mary Jane ( David "Jack") Brillman of Pittsburgh, 3 grandchildren; Jon Cresswell, Alex Brillman, and Laura Brillman whom he loved dearly and his sister Faith (Peach) Best of Alma, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Marilyn Cresswell, and 2 brothers; Richard Cresswell and John Cresswell.
Donations may be made to a memorial fund in memory of Mr. Cresswell's niece at Cara Cresswell Memorial Scholarship Fund at Alma College Advancement Office 614 W. Superior Street, Alma, MI 48801. or to the Michigan Humane Society 30300 Telegraph road Suite 220 Bingham Farms, Michigan 48802-4507. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel, 117 North East Street, St. Louis, MI 48880.
Read Hugh Cresswell's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.