Marvin H. Langley, Sr., 99

Marvin H. Langley, Sr., 99, passed away peacefully at his home in Skaneateles on Oct. 27, 2017. “What a Wonderful Life” is the title of his autobiography, which reflects the joy and intensity with which he approached his life. After reading his book and learning of all his antics you might wonder how he made it out of his 20s. He lived every day to the maximum and if you were with him – he wanted you to do the same. Marvin was the consummate story teller; ask anyone who knew him what their favorite story was.
Captain Marvin Langley was a tank commander in World War II. He was at Normandy on D-Day and in the Ardenne Forrest at the Battle of the Bulge. He didn’t speak often about the war but he did include fascinating details in his autobiography (which is available at Skaneateles Library.)
Travel was a big part of Marvin’s life. He traveled extensively with his wife Emily covering 52 countries and all the well-known National Parks. With his second wife Rosie, he increased the total number of countries visited to 58.
Marvin enjoyed sports of all kinds; playing, coaching, cheering and watching. Tennis was the sport he loved best and he was a lifelong golfer, tennis player and swimmer. There wasn’t a hockey rink in town when he moved to Skaneateles and Mayo Snyder asked if he would help start a program. With that, Marvin and teams of three men would meet at 10 p.m. and use the fire hose to spray the blacktop where the town stored their trucks to make an ice rink. Fortunately, at the end of the first year, Bill Allyn stepped in and offered to help build an indoor rink. Bill also knew how to get the rest of the money needed from the State Recreational Fund. Ice Hockey in Skaneateles was started!
Marvin was an entrepreneur and owned his own company. He was a manufacturer representative for several construction supply companies. He retired at age 70 from his career but never slowed down.
Marvin shared his life, with the love of his life, Emily Williams, who he married at age 24. Emily predeceased him in 1995. Unlike many, Marvin was blessed with a second soul mate and married Rose Marie Bliss in 1996. He shared 19 years with Rosie who predeceased him in 2014.
Marvin and Emily had five children; Emily (Lee) and her husband Patrick Brown, Anne and her husband Charlie McElroy, Judith (Minissali), Marjorie and her husband Scott Rockwell, and Marvin and his wife Patti. His five children blessed them with 13 grandchildren. To date, his grandchildren have produced 14 great-grandchildren. Sadly, Marvin was predeceased by his brother Charles Langley and son-in-law, Richard Minissali.
Marvin’s last goal was to pass away in his own bed, in his own home. True to the end, that is exactly what he did. He couldn’t have done that without the care of his constant companions who were managed by his nurse Chris. Chris helped us all maintain Marvin’s quality of life. We couldn’t have done it without her. Another very significant person to Marvin was Lance. Lance was always available to help Marvin, keeping his home and gardens in order. He was indispensable to all of us in his support of Marvin.
Please join us in celebrating Marvin and his life. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, at the First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles at with a luncheon to follow at the Skaneateles Country Club.
If you’d like to make a donation in honor of Marvin, please send donations to SAVES of Skaneateles or Laker Limo of Skaneateles.
To send condolences visit: robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.