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George Pyo Jr. (Dad, Pappy, Pap and Sonny) 90, Lilly, left the world on March 11, 2021 in his home surrounded by his loving family, just as he wanted. Born September 23, 1930 in Lilly, he was the son of George Sr. and Anna (Zumer-Pello) Pyo. George was married to Audrey L. Glass who preceded him in death on July 28, 2015. George’s legacy will live on through is 26 descendants. He was a beloved and dedicated father to George F. and wife, Andrea (Bozella), of Cresson; Pamela M. Gagen and husband, Timothy, of Butler; Thomas J. and wife, Lisa (Yancosek), of Greensburg; and Katrina A. Pyo and husband, Rick Davis, of Valencia. In addition, he is reunited with his infant son. Pappy loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and especially enjoyed holding the babies. Surviving are 11 grandchildren: Amber (Pyo) Lipple and husband, Anthony; Timothy Gagen and wife, Rachael (Fertelmes); George Pyo and wife, Katie (Gregg); Christopher Gagen and wife, Danielle (Yobst); Pamela (Gagen) Pickard and husband, Daniel; Kristen Gagen and fiancé, Chris Burke, Hilary (Pyo) Mulligan and husband, Ryan; Maria Pyo and fiancé, Aaron Kovach, Nicholas Pyo, Demetrius Pyo and Rebeccah Pyo; 11 great-grandchildren: Ethan Pickard, Caroline Lipple, Anthony Lipple, Rose Gagen, Lily Pyo, Charlotte Pickard, Grace Lipple, Mila Gagen, Leo Gagen, Amelia Gagen, and Ava Pyo. George is also survived by sisters in-law Margaret (Glass) Hanlon, Mary (Kunko) Glass, Jane (Lysic) Pyo, and brother in-law Ronald Swires, many special cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Dad was proud to be one of the oldest surviving Pyo descendants and loved his family. Being the last surviving member of his immediate family he was preceded in death by sisters and brothers in-law: Mary (Pello) William Berezansky, Anna (Tootsie) (Pello) Frank Berzansky, Justina (Deanie) (Pello) Stanley (Stush) Klezek, Kathryn Dolores (Petie) (Pyo) Swires; brother Edward (Moose) Pyo; sisters in-law and brothers in-law: Frances (Glass) and Francis (Tiny) Culley, Mary (Glass) and Paul (Pork) Culley, William Glass and Raymond Hanlon. George received the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, First Communion at Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Portage. In 1949, he graduated from Lilly Washington Township High School. He served during the Korean Conflict in the US Air Force stationed at Fakenham, England Air Force Base where he was in the military police from 1952-1956. He was an A1C rank. He fell in love and married Audrey on April 30, 1960. They were married for 55 years. He worked and retired from Bethlehem Steel Gautier Division. George also enjoyed his entrepreneur coal and wood delivery service and being of service to his customers. His children remember the times of hard and exciting work of loading wood and stacking it beyond the height of the truck and the many Saturday mornings of coal hauling rewarded with pay, pop and chips at the Sokols. Fortunately for his family, Dad was always employed and never ill. He never complained about working and included his family in many of his tasks: home remodeling, gardening, welding, and car work. Life with Dad was like an adventure – trip to Cleveland with 12 people in the new station wagon and getting a flat tire on the way there and running out of gas on the way back, tipping over the truck on its side when going to pick up a pizza for a late Saturday night snack, working on car repairs (restoring and old car with a new car engine) with Uncle Moose, travels to Ohio, New Jersey, New York City, and Michigan to visit relatives, trips to Virginia Beach and Texas, nickel beer nights, Friday fish frys, trips to Inlows, last minute decisions and usually always having issues with driving directions. The guardian angels are/were always with us and busy. George was very active with the Stumptown water association managing administrative matters to ditch digging. George was known to be the official family documenter of family events by taking pictures and movies. There are many fond memories of watching family movies together followed by cartoons. George enjoyed playing baseball as well as coaching the Sokols team for the Lilly Little League Association. He always appreciated the respect and honor of former players and would always share a smiling comment with his coaching experience. Dad was never known to utter a foul word in the presence of his family, he fathered with a consistent disciplinary style with understood expectations. He was a true example for his children of what was most important in life: faith, family, working hard and helping others. Family was very important to George and he hosted and made the effort to visit family often.
His children appreciated him being a supporter of their continuing education. Dad expected the best work out of anything that was attempted. He was always supportive and available, providing assistance and making trips back and forth from college when needed. His children (and most likely their friends) fondly remember the different cars that were provided. Dad did not play any musical instruments but was very supportive of his children to have music education. Dad attended every event possible of his children. As members of Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church in Portage, George provided the example of having God in their household by raising their family in the Catholic faith and keeping to cherished traditions; pepperoni and crackers, port wine and listening to polkas after church, and traditional Christmas Eve and Easter dinners.Lastly, Dad worked hard to show his family the importance of having what was needed versus what you wanted. He was a good father. With great love and deepest appreciation, George’s family rejoices knowing he was ready for eternal peace and rest in heaven. Viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 14, 2021, and 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Serenko-Claar Funeral Home, PC, Portage, where Parastas will be sung at 7 p.m. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday March 16, 2021, at SS. Peter and Paul Byzantine Church, Portage, Father James Spontak as celebrant. Committal will be in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Lilly. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, or Lilly Community Volunteer Fire Company.
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