George John Semancik

George Semancik, 84, passed on Friday, February 21, 2020 following injuries sustained from an accident while out for a walk. 

He was born to George and Mary Semancik on January 31, 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio.  George enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served a tour in Cuba as an electronics technician. George later studied engineering, graduating from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1961.  He also later earned master’s degrees in electrical engineering and business.

George married Evelyn Davis on July 16, 1961.  They lived together and raised their children in New Hampshire.  They moved up and down the East Coast before retiring to the Grand Canyon State.  George was an always-devoted husband to Evelyn, and he was happy to take care of her when she battled ill health. 

As a veteran and long-time defense contractor, George valued protecting and serving his country, a passion that he instilled in his two children.  Both of his sons served in the military as officers—one as an Army doctor and the other as a Naval officer.  He shed a rare tear dropping his younger son off at the Naval Academy for Plebe summer and proudly rode the ship with him years later.  He was there in Washington to celebrate his older son’s return from Iraq and promotion to Colonel.

George was a loving father, grandfather, and friend. He always made sure that his sons left Santa his favorite beer and pretzels rather than conventional milk and cookies.  He infamously cut loose on the middle of the dance floor with a women’s hat at the wedding of his son.  He especially enjoyed holding his grandchildren when they were babies. George always made sure that each of his grandkids got a Happy Meal toy, even if that meant eating all three meals on his own.

George was also passionate about sports.  He enjoyed playing baseball and hockey with his two sons when they were kids.  Unfortunately, he broke his nose three times as, despite his enthusiasm, he could not skate.  Despite his years living in New England and Arizona, he remained a proud Pittsburgh Steelers fan.  George continued to be active through his final days, enjoying frequent 7-mile walks outside and patrolling his community with the Citizens On Patrol in collaboration with the Buckeye Arizona Police Department. 

Forever a visionary and putting his engineering skills to everyday use, he stored his artificial Christmas tree assembled year-round with lights and garland on it.  George’s family fondly remembers him lowering it from the garage attic and decorating it in under ten minutes, decades before the advent of pre-decorated trees.  He also hand-crafted a china cabinet for his grandchildren, although their parents did not even have one themselves.  However, gluing the shoes to his granddaughter’s Barbie dolls proved to be one of his less well-received, pragmatic solutions.

George loved to eat and cook.  He enjoyed his many culinary adventures alongside his wife, friends, and family, some of the more memorable ones being characterized by eating a bowl of salsa with one chip and spitting out the potatoes from clam chowder to limit his carbs, all to the adoring delight of his grandchildren. 

In recent years, George was an active member and served on the parish council of St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church in Peoria, AZ.  An eternal optimist who never stopped living, George would always answer “Outstanding!” whenever anyone asked how he was doing.  He was enthusiastically planning and looking forward to his next family adventure at the time of his departure.

In passing, George joins his recently-departed wife of fifty seven years, Evelyn; his sisters, Martha and Susan; his mother, Mary; and his father, George.  He is survived by his two caring children, Greg and his partner, Kim; and Jeff and his wife, Tricia. He is eternally cherished by his six grandchildren: Kristin, Lisa, Eileen, Michael, Lauren and Rachel and by his extended family. His family and friends will always treasure their fond memories of George, particularly sharing potluck meals with him.

Visiting hours will be held at Salvolskis-Wasik-Glenn Funeral Home on 3501 Main Street in Munhall, PA on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 6-8 PM and Friday, March 13 from 2-4PM and 6-8PM.  The Panachida (an Orthodox memorial service for the soul of a departed one) will be held on Friday, March 13 at 6PM. The funeral service will take place at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church on 903 Ann Street in Homestead at 1PM on Saturday, March 14, and the burial will follow in St. Nicholas Cemetery, West Mifflin.

In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory can be made to the Banner Health Foundation, Neuro Wellness Program West on 2901 N. Central Avenue, Suite 160 in Phoenix, AZ 85012

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