George A. Skeeba

George A. Skeeba, 95, of McAdoo, passed away Wednesday morning at St. Luke’s Hospital, Lehighton, after a brief illness. 

Born in Yorktown, he was the son of the late Lawrence and Antonina (O’Lear) Skiba.

George was a member of the former St. Kunegunda’s R.C. Church, McAdoo.

He was a WWII veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy.  He was slated to be part of the land invasion of the Japanese mainland, which never occurred because the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, saving thousands of American lives.  Following his military service, he was employed as a Civilian Morse Code Translator in China and the Philippines.  George earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Kutztown State College and a Master’s Degree from Columbia University. He taught in Freeport New York Public Schools.  

George was a past commander for the McAdoo V.F.W. Post 6708 and also the Military Order of the Cooties. He served as Past President of the McAdoo Lions Club. George recorded his oral history in the Library of Congress Veteran’s History Project, American Folklife Center.

Preceding him in death were brothers Paul, Peter, and John Skeeba; and sisters Ann Cook and Mary Marshall.

Surviving are his sister Stacy (Sophie) Dluzniewski of New York; nephew Richard Skeeba; nieces Dr. Marcia Skeeba Balester, Janet Hale, Diane Dee, Joan Kennedy, Laura Towey, and Joyce Ann Sibinski

He is also survived by his longtime companion, Adele (Sandy) Kellner. 

His funeral will be held Tuesday.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. in Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Hazleton.  The Rev. Michael J. Piccola, V.F. will be the celebrant. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, McAdoo.

A calling hour will be held Tuesday from 9 a.m. to the time of service in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the United Service Organizations at USO Department WS, PO Box 96860 Washington, DC 20090-6860 or to the Wounded Warrior project online at woundedwarriorproject.org or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. 

The Damiano Funeral Home, Inc., McAdoo, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Condolences may be entered, and information is available at www.damianofhinc.com.

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