George J. Pawkovich, 95, formerly of Seybertown, died Tuesday September 20, 2016 at the VNA Inpatient Hospice, Butler.

Born April 4, 1921 in Chickasaw, PA, he was the son of Joseph F. and Frances (Krampel) Pawkovich. 

On September 29, 1951 George married Irene S. Dermidzakis. She preceded him in death on July 3, 1997. 

George and Irene enjoyed traveling and took several cruises, cross-country trips, vacations to Hawaii, and trips to California to see the redwood forests.  After his retirement, George and his close friend and co-worker from US Steel,  Marty Sassie, made a cross-country road trip together. 

For 30 years, George worked at US Steel and after his retirement, opened several laundromats in the Armstrong and Clarion County Areas including George’s Coin-Op in East Brady. 

A WWII US Army Veteran, George served as a Corporal with the Army Air Force 125th Base Unit.  He was a recipient of the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. 

Every Tuesday morning, George met with Jud Sedwick, Dick Laube and Pete Snecki for breakfast.  George cherished those friendships and good times.  He was an avid Notre Dame, Pittsburgh Steeler, and Pirates fan and he also enjoyed listening to country music. A member of St. Eusebius Roman Catholic Church, George was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus.

In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said to an audience in Montgomery, AL, that “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is… what are you doing for others?”  For George, entrepreneurship and philanthropy in Clarion and Armstrong counties is what he loved the most.  He always said he loved doing things for others and for the community in which he lived. 

 George donated a 7-foot Cross in St. Mary’s Cemetery in honor of his family and late wife, and he had a military tank displayed in honor of the veterans near the American Legion Post #488 in Bradys Bend.  George built little-league ball fields in East Brady and Worthington, installed scoreboards and lights for evening games.  Every holiday season, he bought turkeys for the senior citizens at the High Rise in East Brady and purchased the Christmas decorations for the town to spread cheer along Kelly’s Way. 

George was a good friend to the Buffalo Bill’s Hall of Fame Quarterback Jim Kelly.  He placed several billboards around East Brady welcoming travelers to the quarterback’s hometown.  In 1997, George's charity earned him title of "Citizen of the Year" during East Brady's annual Riverfest Celebration. 

George and Irene never had children, but George had a favorite niece, Dorothy Smith, of Lady Lake, FL whom he was especially close with.  He is also survived by his great niece Suzanne Hoffman of Hermitage, a great niece Connie Cogley and her family of Seybertown, a nephew Douglas Sowers of Ford City, his godson John Romanko of Mercer and his close friends Harry “Bake” and Jane Wagner of East Brady, who helped George with his laundromat business.  He is also survived by many other nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. 

The last of the 9 Pawkovich children, George was preceded in death by his siblings Mary, Rose, John, Joe, twins Rocco and Annie, Tony and Nick, his parents and his wife Irene. 

Friends of George J. Pawkovich, will be received, 2-4, 6-8 PM Friday, September 23, 2016 at Buechele Funeral Home and Cremation Services Inc. 707 Kellys Way, East Brady, PA 16028. 

A parish prayer service will be held at 3PM Friday in the Funeral Home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, September 24, 2016 at St. Eusebius Church with Rev. William Kuba officiating.

Committal Services, Military Honors and Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bradys Bend.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made in George’s name to St. Eusebius Church 301 East 2nd Street, East Brady, PA 16028

To view or express condolences, please visit www.BuecheleFuneralHome.com

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