George P. Durko
Lifelong member of Ave Maria Parish
George P. Durko Sr., 82, of Cokeburg, died Sunday morning, February 23, 2014, in Washington County Health Center, Chartiers Township.
He was born August 25, 1931, in Gibson, a son of the late John Sr. and Mary Psota Durko.
Mr. Durko attended Cokeburg and Ellsworth schools.
He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.
With more than 30 years of service, he worked as an underground coal miner and a foreman at Beth Energy, Mine 60 and was later employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Mr. Durko was a past member and president of Cokeburg council.
He was a devoted Catholic and lifelong member of Ave Maria Parish, Bentleyville. He attended daily mass after his retirement, until he was unable because of illness.
Mr. Durko was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 5826, Sons of Italy 609, Croatian Fraternal Union St. George 354, United Mine Workers of Americas Local 1197, AFSCME Chapter 13 and the U.S. Marine Corps Mon Valley Leathernecks.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, working on his cars and home and marching in area parades with the Leathernecks.
On July 19, 1958, he married Dorothy Falleroni Durko, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, George Jr. (Nichole) of St. Louis, Mo., and Paul (Carolyn) of Canonsburg; two daughters, Ellen Durko (fiancé Al) of Broad Brook, Conn., and Doris Auth (Vince) of North Potomac, Md.; 12 grandchildren, H. Wayne Moon Jr., Marissa (Aaron) Vafiaides, Dana Moon, Eric, David, Michael and Taylor Auth, Paul Jr., and Derek, Leah, Drake and Nina Durko; a brother, Steve Durko of Charleroi; two sisters, Rita Calendriello of Towaca, N.J., and Ann Genarro of Towaca; and several nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to his parents, are four brothers, Paul Durko, USMC, killed in action during World War II, John, Frank and Joseph Durko, and a sister, Stella Racz.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255, where a prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, February 27, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Ave Maria Church, Bentleyville, with the Rev. Edward L. Yuhas, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township. The Rosary will be prayed at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home by members of Knights of Columbus, Ave Maria Parish Women’s Guild and the Catholic Daughter of the Americas. At 7 p.m. Wednesday the Mon Valley Leathernecks will conduct a memorial service.
Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ave Maria Parish, 126 Church Street, Bentleyville, PA 15314 or Alzheimer’s Association, Greater PA Chapter, 3544 North Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110.