George Gresko
November 25, 1925 ~ April 12, 2015
George and Marie Gresko passed away in their home on Sunday morning April 12th, 2015. George was 89 years old and Marie 85 years. George was born on November 25th, 1925 in Patton, PA to George and Mary Mayernick Gresko. He was one of 13 children and grew up in a 3 bedroom home during the depression. He never forgot this fact even as he became the only child to go to college thanks to the GI bill (WWII) having gone to St. Francis College-Loretto, PA and ended up with a successful career in pharmaceutical sales. He would tell his children"I never had two nickels to rub together and will always remember that" when we would question him about keeping things around and never throwing things away that we might have considered old/used. George served in the Army Air Force during WWII as a tail gunner on a B-29 and was stationed on Tinian Island in the South Pacific. Locally he belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Hickory Post 6166.
Marie (Fedak) Gresko was born on February 7th, 1930 in Connemaugh, PA. She was the youngest of 6 children born to Father John Fedak and Matushka Julia Wanchisen. Marie went to college at University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing where she earned her BS in nursing and worked for several years as a scrub nurse in the operating room at McGee Women's Hospital in Pittsburgh as well as DC General in Washington, DC. before marriage. She loved her Pitt Panthers and continued to sing their school fight song whenever prompted-as recently as just a few days before her death. In fact, even though her son was a West Virginia University graduate, she said whenever Pitt played WVU, she had her loyalties!!! (smile)
George and Marie meet each other through their devout church going back in Cental PA since their respective home towns were about 30 miles apart. They were married by Marie's father-an Orthodox priest in her hometown of Connemaugh on July 20th, 1957.
George and Marie moved to Farrell, PA right after their marriage where George had already begun his working career. They bought their first home in Sharon, PA a year later and then welcomed their first daughter, Mary Jane on October 2nd, 1959. Their son, George Andrew followed on July 14th, 1961 and third child, daughter Julianne who was born on February 21st, 1966. George and Marie fulfilled their dream of building their own home in Hermitage, PA and the family moved there in February, 1968 where George and Marie resided until their deaths.
George and Marie loved their Orthodox Christian faith and were active in their church community over the years where George had served in the past as parish president and also was an ordained a sub-deacon. Marie sang in the choir and was also a first communion church school teacher for many years. She also enjoyed baking with the church ladies for the Christmas and Easter fests for many years.
They are survived by their loving children: Mary Gresko of Toledo, Ohio, George and wife Julie Gresko from Weirton, WVa. and Julianne Olmstead from Perrysburg, Ohio. Grandchildren-Nicholas James Olmstead, Rachael Marie Olmstead, Sarah Ann Olmstead, Andrew James Gresko, and Julianna Rensi Gresko. George is survived by sisters Virginia Skebeck-Patton PA and Barbara Yarko-Millville, PA and also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Marie is survived by her sister Vera Campbell (Don)-Champion, Ohio as well as numerous nieces/nephews. Memorial Contributions may be made to St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church 301 Struthers-Liberty Road Campbell, Ohio 44405.
Calling hours: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday (4-15-15) in the J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 1090 E. State St .Sharon, a Panachida service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Visitation will also take place in the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Thursday (4-16-15) in St. John the Baptist Church, 305 Struthers-Liberty Rd Campbell, Ohio.
Services: 11:00 a.m. Thursday (4-16-15) in the church with Bishop Paul Gassios and V. Rev. Andrew D Nelko, Rector of St. John the Baptist Church, and other parish priest concelebrating.
Everyone is asked to go directly to the church Thursday.
Interment: St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Campbell, Ohio.
May the love of God surround you and your family during this difficult time
May you come to know that the love of God is with you always,
May your memories of George Gresko, give you peace, comfort and strength…
Rest now in the arms of our Lord your work on earth is complete.
I thank you for your service and my Freedom. You will not be forgotten.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of….. US Air Force WW II Veteran, George Gresko, “A True American Hero†God Blessâ€
†Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 â€