Obituary of George Semko

SEMKO - George, 80, Colver, went to be with his heavenly Father on Feb. 26, 2007, at Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Sept. 12, 1926, in Colver, son of the late George and Anna (Bihun) Semko. George "Pudge" was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, Gary; mother and father-in-law, Carlo and Maddalena Girolami; sisters, Annie Semko and Julia Kostelnik; brother, Michael Semko; brothers-in-law, Steve Woznak, Guido Mastrine and Mike Kostelnik; and nephew, Ronald Kostelnik. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 59 years, Johanna (Genie Girolami) Semko; his loving children: Janet, married to Frank Hoover, Ebensburg; Karen, married to Fred Mazzarella, Ebensburg; Jo-Ann Semko, Ebensburg; and George A., married to Denise (Kopchick), Colver; grandchildren, Dr. Jason Mazzarella, and fiance, Dr. Kathy Marek, Virginia; Dr. Jarett Mazzarella, and fiance, Dr. Leslie Morris, North Carolina; Jeffrey Mazzarella, Kristi Jan Hoover, Ryan Semko and "like-a-daughter," Sue Caldwell. He is also survived by brother, Charles "Red," and wife, Marge Semko, Pittsburgh; sister, Rose Mastrine, Colver; and sister, Nellie Woznak, Ebensburg; and half-brothers, Jim, Steve and John Melnyk; and many nieces and nephews. George, a World War II veteran, served in the 6th Ranger Army Battalion, Japanese Theatre. He was a member of Holy Family Church, Colver, past president of the Holy Name Society, secretary-treasurer and founding member of the Colver Development Corporation, co-developer of the A.D. Martin Community Park, a co-organizer of the Colver Reunion, a life member of the Ebensburg American Legion Association Post 0363 and VFW post 4963. A former employee of the Colver Coal Company, Ebensburg Coal Company, Eastern Gas and Fuel Mines, Barnes and Tucker Mines, and assistant manager of the West End Market, Ebensburg. A star athlete in his younger years, George, as quarterback, led his Ebensburg Cambria High School football team to the Western Conference and Mountain Conference titles. In the early years of the Cambria County Industrial League, he was a renowned pitcher. George was a member of the Cambria County "Old Timers" Baseball Association. While ending his tour of military duty in Japan, George successfully pitched several baseball games in the Japanese "Mini World Series." An avid fisherman, hunter, woodcrafter, carpenter and lover of the outdoors, George shared his loves and skills with his children and grandchildren. He used his skills to assist his children in their many home-improvement projects with endless strength, endurance and wisdom. He and his wife, "Genie," were number one fans at their grandchildren's sports events, braving all weather challenges. George's wife has often said of him, "If every man was as kind, loving and compassionate toward his wife and children as he was, this would be a better world to live in." His wife and family meant the world to him as did he to them. A kinder and gentler man no family has ever been blessed with. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Matevish and Matevish Funeral Home, Ebensburg. Mass of the Resurrection will be concelebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Holy Family Catholic Church, Colver, by the Rev. Bernard Grega and concelebrants. Entombment, Holy Name Mausoleum.