Great Uncle George
Uncle Jason and Mary Ann invited us to Salerno's in Old Forge a couple weeks ago (Mary Ann grew up in Old Forge, and I think she worked there at one time). It was great to see them and Lia, Colton and Natalee. And sadly, we found out that Uncle George recently had a heart attack. Luckily we were able to see him the following weekend in Maryland, Rob and I on Saturday then Aunt Pam and Alex on Sunday. He wasn't well but knew us and was so glad for the visitors, and had good days especially on Sunday. We were shocked when he passed a few hours later. Below is Uncle George's obituary.
We all went to his viewing and then his funeral last week. Very sad ! We learned a lot about the challenges of inter-denominational relationships in the 1950's. We did get to catch up with extended family - Gerboc, Rogers and Warner. And Alex, you brought Taylor to meet everyone at a local hotel following the viewing. They liked her and she made quite an impression as a Bernie Sanders supporter!
Here are some highlights of things you may remember about Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George.
- Front Porch: At 278 Monument Ave where they lived, there was a lovely long porch. I remember Rob pushing trucks there, as well as along the sidewalk in front of the house. You might also remember that every spring a woodpecker spent its early mornings pecking the utility pole outside their bedroom window. We could hear it clattering away over at our place (272 Monument Ave). Uncle George had some choice words for the woodpecker.
Toy Box: Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George had a box of toys for pre-schoolers, saved from their kids' childhood ☺ Every time we stopped over, it was a bee line for the toys.
The Garden: The garden was near and dear to Uncle George. He and Aunt Rebecca planted lovely flowers, and most importantly tomatoes and other vegetables which Uncle George had grown from seedlings on the enclosed back porch. He enjoyed working out there, and kept a sharp eye (and sometimes a BB gun) out for critters such as rabbits and at least at one point (Eeek!) a groundhog.
- Meow: When he was away at Penn State, Uncle Jason brought home a fluffy grey kitten. As happens in some cases with kitties acquired by college students, she ended up living back home. Her name was simply Meow. I would say she was sponsored (fed and cared for, as I remember flea bathing behind the house) by Aunt Rebecca & Uncle George. But was actually the neighborhood's cat, as she got around to visit everyone. She stood her ground and then some with dogs (I remember swats across the doggy noses). Meow was also a great huntress, and brought her captured prey home regularly (such as birds, squirrels and rabbits). In her spare time, she came calling upon indoor kitties who lived nearby. This included climbing up the walnut tree and onto our deck, then coming to the sliding door - which drove Tiger crazy, there was much hissing and spatting. As well as climbing up the dogwood tree to the porch next door, going over the roof to Aunt Pam's kitchen window to greet Wolfie who jumped up to the counter/sink area for a stressful visit. Uncle George often said that he hated cats; I think was quite fond of Meow all the same.
Christmas Eve: When you were quite young, we all went to their house after church for Christmas Eve, which included a Slovak tradition of exchanging "Merry Christmas" greetings while breaking off pieces of Oplatki wavers, then dipped in honey and eaten. You can read more about it here: Oplatki Christmas Tradition Then there were many treats, including piggies and kielbasa, and presents to exchange. Little children made out like bandits on Christmas Eve. Once Uncle Jason gave Alex a 100-piece set of plastic army men - you were thrilled and we just hoped no adult would get one wedged into a bare foot.
- Halloween: Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George always had a special treat bag for both of you on Halloween. In later years, Uncle George was very happy when you came. His greeting was always a loud "Hello" ! After he moved to live with David & sometimes Laura, we always sent him a Halloween card.
Uncle George also sent cards for your birthdays. (When Rob and I visited him, he commented that Laura had been helping to get the cards but he didn't always like her selections... made me smile!) It is wonderful to have family close by, and you were blessed with having Grandma & Aunt Pam, along with Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George on our street in Wyoming.
George David Gerboc
Great Uncle George
Uncle Jason and Mary Ann invited us to Salerno's in Old Forge a couple weeks ago (Mary Ann grew up in Old Forge, and I think she worked there at one time). It was great to see them and Lia, Colton and Natalee. And sadly, we found out that Uncle George recently had a heart attack. Luckily we were able to see him the following weekend in Maryland, Rob and I on Saturday then Aunt Pam and Alex on Sunday. He wasn't well but knew us and was so glad for the visitors, and had good days especially on Sunday. We were shocked when he passed a few hours later. Below is Uncle George's obituary.We all went to his viewing and then his funeral last week. Very sad ! We learned a lot about the challenges of inter-denominational relationships in the 1950's. We did get to catch up with extended family - Gerboc, Rogers and Warner. And Alex, you brought Taylor to meet everyone at a local hotel following the viewing. They liked her and she made quite an impression as a Bernie Sanders supporter!
Here are some highlights of things you may remember about Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George.
- Front Porch: At 278 Monument Ave where they lived, there was a lovely long porch. I remember Rob pushing trucks there, as well as along the sidewalk in front of the house. You might also remember that every spring a woodpecker spent its early mornings pecking the utility pole outside their bedroom window. We could hear it clattering away over at our place (272 Monument Ave). Uncle George had some choice words for the woodpecker.
- Toy Box: Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George had a box of toys for pre-schoolers, saved from their kids' childhood ☺ Every time we stopped over, it was a bee line for the toys.
- The Garden: The garden was near and dear to Uncle George. He and Aunt Rebecca planted lovely flowers, and most importantly tomatoes and other vegetables which Uncle George had grown from seedlings on the enclosed back porch. He enjoyed working out there, and kept a sharp eye (and sometimes a BB gun) out for critters such as rabbits and at least at one point (Eeek!) a groundhog.
- Meow: When he was away at Penn State, Uncle Jason brought home a fluffy grey kitten. As happens in some cases with kitties acquired by college students, she ended up living back home. Her name was simply Meow. I would say she was sponsored (fed and cared for, as I remember flea bathing behind the house) by Aunt Rebecca & Uncle George. But was actually the neighborhood's cat, as she got around to visit everyone. She stood her ground and then some with dogs (I remember swats across the doggy noses). Meow was also a great huntress, and brought her captured prey home regularly (such as birds, squirrels and rabbits). In her spare time, she came calling upon indoor kitties who lived nearby. This included climbing up the walnut tree and onto our deck, then coming to the sliding door - which drove Tiger crazy, there was much hissing and spatting. As well as climbing up the dogwood tree to the porch next door, going over the roof to Aunt Pam's kitchen window to greet Wolfie who jumped up to the counter/sink area for a stressful visit. Uncle George often said that he hated cats; I think was quite fond of Meow all the same.
- Christmas Eve: When you were quite young, we all went to their house after church for Christmas Eve, which included a Slovak tradition of exchanging "Merry Christmas" greetings while breaking off pieces of Oplatki wavers, then dipped in honey and eaten. You can read more about it here: Oplatki Christmas Tradition Then there were many treats, including piggies and kielbasa, and presents to exchange. Little children made out like bandits on Christmas Eve. Once Uncle Jason gave Alex a 100-piece set of plastic army men - you were thrilled and we just hoped no adult would get one wedged into a bare foot.
- Halloween: Aunt Rebecca and Uncle George always had a special treat bag for both of you on Halloween. In later years, Uncle George was very happy when you came. His greeting was always a loud "Hello" ! After he moved to live with David & sometimes Laura, we always sent him a Halloween card.
George David Gerboc
1932 - 2019
George D. Gerboc, 87, formerly of Wyoming, died Sunday evening, Aug. 18, 2019, at Calvert Manor Healthcare Center in Rising Sun, Md., after a short stay.
George was born in the Pittston Junction on July 22, 1932, to the late George and Katarina Mackanic Gerboc. He was a graduate of the Pittston High School, Class of 1949.
After high school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1952, during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he worked at Rex Shoe Factory, Exeter, later working several years for and retiring from Techniglas Inc, Pittston.
He was married to the late Rebecca Warner Gerboc of Wyoming, who preceded him in death on Aug. 23, 2005, after 43 years of marriage. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Michael Gerboc, Mary Russick, Helen Schnitzel, Ann Rachwalski, Agnes Havrilla, John Gerboc, Elizabeth Rakowski and Joseph Gerboc.
George and Rebecca were life residents of Wyoming. In the last few years, he lived with his children, spending the majority of time in Virginia and southern Pennsylvania.
Surviving are his three children, Laura Balint and her husband, Jimmy, Avondale; David Gerboc and his wife, Tracey, Chesterfield, Va.; Jason Gerboc and his wife, Mary Ann, Lake Mary, Fla.; grandchildren, Courtney and Nicole Gerboc; Mitchell Balint; Lia, Colton and Natalee Gerboc; sisters, Juliana Kopec, Bradenton, Fla.; and Margaret Kalina, Pittston.
A blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, with the Rev. Peter Tomczak of St. Monica's Parish, West Wyoming, officiating.
Interment will be in Wyoming Cemetery.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
George was born in the Pittston Junction on July 22, 1932, to the late George and Katarina Mackanic Gerboc. He was a graduate of the Pittston High School, Class of 1949.
After high school, he served in the U.S. Army from 1949 to 1952, during the Korean War. Upon returning home, he worked at Rex Shoe Factory, Exeter, later working several years for and retiring from Techniglas Inc, Pittston.
He was married to the late Rebecca Warner Gerboc of Wyoming, who preceded him in death on Aug. 23, 2005, after 43 years of marriage. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Michael Gerboc, Mary Russick, Helen Schnitzel, Ann Rachwalski, Agnes Havrilla, John Gerboc, Elizabeth Rakowski and Joseph Gerboc.
George and Rebecca were life residents of Wyoming. In the last few years, he lived with his children, spending the majority of time in Virginia and southern Pennsylvania.
Surviving are his three children, Laura Balint and her husband, Jimmy, Avondale; David Gerboc and his wife, Tracey, Chesterfield, Va.; Jason Gerboc and his wife, Mary Ann, Lake Mary, Fla.; grandchildren, Courtney and Nicole Gerboc; Mitchell Balint; Lia, Colton and Natalee Gerboc; sisters, Juliana Kopec, Bradenton, Fla.; and Margaret Kalina, Pittston.
A blessing service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Metcalfe Shaver Kopcza Funeral Home Inc., 504 Wyoming Ave., Wyoming, with the Rev. Peter Tomczak of St. Monica's Parish, West Wyoming, officiating.
Interment will be in Wyoming Cemetery.
Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Published in Citizens' Voice from Aug. 20 to Aug. 21, 2019
