George E. Svitek

George Edward Svitek age 86 of Strabane died Thursday November 10, 2011 in his home surrounded by his family. He was born July 27, 1925 in Canonsburg, a son of the late John and Mary Sroka Svitek. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 with Battery B 396th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, where he served as a cannoneer and was a carbine sharpshooter. While serving his country, George received the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the European Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.On June 22, 1946 he married Olga E. Delost who died January 30, 2011 after 64 years of marriage.
Prior to joining the armed services, Mr. Svitek worked for the Civilian Conservation Corp and later as a welder at the Pennsylvania Transformer and McGraw Edison Power Systems for 41 years. Since his retirement in 1988 he has spent most of his time working around his house, helping his children at their homes and at the Meadows Racetrack with his son in law Richard Stillings. He traveled often to Philadelphia, Florida, Alaska and West Virginia to visit his children. An avid bowler, George bowled in the SNPJ Sunday Men's League, city and county leagues and the Transformer league. He was a longtime member of the VFW post 191, American Legion post 902 and the AFU, SNPJ, KSKJ lodges of Strabane.
Surviving are five children; Dennis (Carolyn) Svitek of Eighty Four, Mary Lou (Richard) Stillings of Washington, Cheri McConnell of Strabane, Thomas (Rosemarie) Svitek of Potomac Falls, VA. and John (LuAnn) Svitek of Canonsburg, ten grandchildren; Denise (Tim) Warne, Craig (Jackie) Svitek, Rick (Kirsten) Stillings, Caila McConnell,Jason and Tammy Svitek, Amanda (Justin)Page and Amber(Paul)McGinn, Kelly (Shawn) Miller and Karla (Nathan) Embery, ten great grandchildren; Timothy, Emily and Brandon Warne, Sophia and Ella Stillings,Benjamin and Jakub McGinn, Conner Page, Simon Svitek and Kenzie Miller.Surviving siblings are two sisters, Mary (Svitek) Kogut and Agnes (Svitek) Mazza. Deceased in addition to his wife and parents are two sisters; Helen (Svitek) (Sluciak) Buresch and Alice (Svitek) Falconi and brother; Albert Svitek.
Friends are welcome from 5-8 PM Sunday, November 13, 2011 in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra owner /supervisor 304 West Pike Street Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where services will be held at 11am Monday, November, 14, 2011 with Pastor Joe DiDonato officiating. Interment will follow in Oak Spring Cemetery, Canonsburg. Full Military Honors will be accorded by the American Legion post 902 of Houston and VFW post 191 of Canonsburg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations be made to charity of one's choicein Mr. Svitek's memory.