George J. Estok, Jr.

 

George J. Estok, Jr., 84, of Rostraver Township, died Tuesday, November 18, 2008 in his home.  Born in Labelle, PA on October 30, 1924, he was the son of the late George and Elizabeth (Kochera) Estok.

 

He attended public schools in Fredericktown and graduated from East Bethlehem High School in 1942.  Being very active in sports, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball, in which he excelled.  A promising career in baseball was interrupted when he was drafted in the service of the U. S. Air Force during WW II.  He served 32 months overseas as a top turret gunner and engineer obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant in the 15th Air force, 485th Bomb Group, 831st Squadron.  His squadron was active in the Mediterranean Theater of War and he flew 52 missions including bombing runs over southern Germany, Austria and other parts of Europe.  His plane was shot down on mission number 13 over Trieste, Italy; the survivors recuperated on the Isle of Capri, Italy.  He received a Bronze Star and the Air Medal, Presidential Citation.  He played in the Air Force dance band when not on combat duty.  Discharged in 1945, he decided to pursue his dream at a baseball career by enrolling in St. Vincent College, on the GI Bill, and joining the baseball team.  He was pursued by several major league baseball teams, including the Boston Red Sox, to consider a professional career.  An unfortunate accident brought his hopes of a baseball career to an end.  He was recognized by St. Vincent College as a Letterman of Distinction in 1994.  He went on to study pre-law and Education and became a teacher and coach after earning his degree from St. Vincent College in 1949 and a Master's degree from West Virginia University.  He coached all sports from 1950 to 1986 at Perryopolis and Rostraver and then with the newly formed Belle Vernon Area School District.  During the summer months in 1949 and through the 1950's, he worked in the start of the Little League in Rostraver Township and worked with the youngsters, coaching the Concord Little League team to a Championship.  Highlighting his career at BVA was a WPIAL basketball championship and a very successful golf program with seven championship seasons and four players that later became PGA golfers.  His love of golf and following his student's careers led him, after retirement, to work at Cedarbrook Golf Course as a starter; he was known to all there simply as "Coach".  He was a member of the PSEA, PSAR, Rostraver Lions Club, American Legion and VFW.  He was very active in the Church of St. Anne in Rostraver Township and was a founding parishioner.  He was past president of the Holy Name Society, sang in the choir and served as an usher for many years.

 

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Helen (Rechichar) Estok; 2 daughters, Mary Ann Estok of Scottsdale, AZ and Marcy Estok of Pittsburgh; a brother & 2 sisters-in-law, Sam & Patricia Estok of Sun City, AZ and Pat Estok of Aurora, OH; many other loving brothers & sisters-in-law, nieces & nephews.

 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Estok.

 

Friends will be received on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from until 9:30 a.m. in the James C. Stump Funeral Home Inc., 580 Circle Drive, Belle Vernon/Rostraver Township (724-929-7934) www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com

 

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, November 21 at 10:00 am in the Church Of St. Anne, with George’s nephew, the Rev. Edward T. Estok, Rector at St. John’s Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, officiating.  Graveside Military Rites and Honors will be accorded by VFW Gold Star Post 7023 and American Legion Post 752 of Perryopolis will follow in West Newton Cemetery.