Sy Margolis, a Villa Park resident for more than 30 years, died on December 5, 2008. He was born November 26, 1942 in Holyoke, Massachusetts and graduated the University of Miami, Florida in 1964 with a BA in sociology. Following graduation he joined the USAF and attended Officer Candidate School and Pilot Training. He received his pilot’s wings in 1966. He flew the T-37, T-38, C-130, in addition to the O1 as a Forward Air Controller in Vietnam 1968 – 1969. While in Vietnam, his commanding officers nominated him for the Medal of Honor for valor in directing a rescue mission. He was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross with Silver Star in addition to numerous other recognitions.

Following his service in the Air Force, in 1970 Margolis began his career in the life insurance and retirement planning profession in Virginia. He moved to California in 1976. Since 1987 until the present, his office has been located in the Villa Park Professional Building. He was a member of the Chartered Life Underwriters Golden Key Society as well as local professional organizations.

He was always interested in fast cars and racing. In 2000, he raced a stock 1954 Lincoln Capri in the Carrera Panamericana, a seven day 2,000 road rally though central Mexico at speeds approaching 160 mph. The race is competitive with no speed restrictions on the closed-road sections. The drivers are cheered on by thousands of spectators. He was a member of the Ferrari Club of America and the 11-99 Foundation.

Margolis is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ronnie, and his two sons, Mark Margolis of Los Angeles, and Scott Margolis and daughter-in-law Paula Margolis of Huntington Beach.

He died of complications of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal neurological disorder. It affects one person in every one million people per year, or about 250 cases per year in the United States.

The family asks that in lieu of cards or flowers a contribution be made to your favorite charity or to memory.ucsf.edu/cjd
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