SALEM — Longtime Salem resident Philias Verrette Sr. survived three years in World War II, took part in every major battle in Europe, from D-Day to the Battle of the Bulge, and won the Silver Star, the third-highest military award for valor.

But it was a motor vehicle on Monday that ended up killing the 87-year-old.

"He died just like Patton," said Verrette's brother-in-law, Frank Swasey, 79, of Salem, of the World War II general, George S. Patton, who died in a car crash in Germany shortly after the war ended in Europe.

Salem police said Verrette was struck by a 2003 Toyota Camry in front of his Mason Street home at 4:25 p.m. on Monday.

Police Lt. Scott Englehardt said the driver of the car, Apostolos Bakolas, 50, of Woburn, told police he did not see Verrette, as the sun's glare obscured his view when he turned left onto Mason Street. Police said Verrette was on the road in front of his home when he was struck. Mason Street is a densely populated, narrow road in North Salem. Many of the homes have no front lawns, and there are narrow sidewalks.

The state police accident-reconstruction team is investigating the crash. They have yet to determine if any charges will be brought against the driver.

Verrette's many stories from the war are evidenced by the dozens of wartime pictures, as well as picture frames showing off his array of medals and ribbons, the highest being the Silver Star.

Verrette won that award "for gallantry in action" following a fierce firefight involving an important crossroads the Germans were looking to recapture.

The fight happened in Germany in February 1945, when Verrette and another soldier saw the enemy quickly approaching. The soldier with Verrette took off running and was never seen again.

Verrette, instead, ran for his machine gun, as German bullets followed his trail.

"Refusing to surrender when his men were surrounded, he gallantly continued his firing until a battalion moved up and drove the enemy back," Verrette's son, Paul, said as he read from the framed letter accompanying the Silver Star.

In addition to those actions, Verrette was part of the second wave of troops during the invasion of Normandy; he escaped from a building just seconds after it was blown up by the Germans; he was injured in the Crossing of the Rhine in 1945; he was sent to Paris and then London for a week to recover, then went back into the front lines. Bandaged up, Verrette took part in Battle of the Bulge, waist-deep in snow.

Paul and his older brother, Philias Jr., and sister, Phyllis, heard the wartime stories growing up but never in graphic detail. Verrette also had another daughter, Carol Thidault of Beverly.

But it wasn't always war stories. They also watched and learned of their father's work ethic.

Verrette worked full time until he was 75 years old, and he typically held down two jobs.

After the war, Verrette worked at the former Mason Tanning on Water Street and later at Salem State College, where he was the head custodian for the dorms.

He also held several part-time jobs, working at laundries and as a short-order cook. He owned a restaurant on North Street for a few years.

Verrette's family said working was what their father was doing at the time of the accident: He was raking the leaves when he was struck by the car.

"He always made sure we had everything," said Philias Jr., 50, a Salem Police Department patrolman. "He made sure all the bills were all paid, there was food on the table. They didn't make that much money back then."

"He was very loving, and he taught me to be loving with my kids," Phyllis said.

Verrette was also involved in many veterans and fraternal organizations, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Salem, the Polish Legion of American Veterans, the Franco-American Post and the Moose Lodge.

Funeral arrangements are pending.