George Andrew Balta, Jr., 92, of Dravosburg, Pennsylvania, passed away at his home and into the Arms of Our Lord on March 3, 2020. Born January 11, 1928 in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, George was the eldest son of four children to the late George A., Sr. and Ella (Kushner) Balta. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Eleanor (Vrabel); along with 3 children, including daughter, Cheryl (Neil) Pettes of Cranberry, PA, and sons, Richard (Lori) Balta of Manassas City, VA and Blaze (Debbie) Balta of Elizabeth, PA; sister, Eleanor "Tootsie" (the late George) Stanchik; brothers, Dr. Paul (Carole) Balta and Stephen (Helen) Balta; grandchildren, Trevor and Tristan, Trent, Broc and Allison, and Dylan and Ryan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
George served in the U.S. Military as an Army Staff Sergeant in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, just after WWII had concluded. He graduated from the Architectural Program of the former Carnegie Institute of Technology, now Carnegie Mellon University, and was highly respected in his field. With successes in solo-practice and a long career with the University of Pittsburgh's Physical Plant Division where he retired as Chief Architect, George was instrumental in the development and design of the Nationality Rooms within Pitt’s iconic Cathedral of Learning.
George was a loving husband and father who dedicated his life to family, friends and his church. He found pleasure in spending time with his children and grandchildren. George’s love for the outdoors included visits to “the cottage” and vacations on the shores of Chincoteague, VA. He loved Civil War history and was a long-time hunter, fisherman, gardener and DIY craftsman. George was so proud of his family’s Slovak Heritage and strived to recognize its cultural and religious traditions within his family throughout his life. He loved the Duquesne Tamburitzan performances and worked hard on tracing the Balta’s family roots with a trip to the former European country, Czechoslovakia.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 6, 3-8 PM at the SAVOLSKIS-WASIK-GLENN FUNERAL HOME, INC., 3501 Main Street, Munhall, PA 15120. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 7, 10 AM, at Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Duquesne, of which George was the Principal Architect. Interment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, West Mifflin.
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