October 11, 2010
George A. "Buddy" Menze passed away Monday, October 11, 2010, at Mercy Hospital Scranton Hospice. George was the only son born to George and Florence (nee Coulter) Menze. He was proceeded in death by his parents; older sisters, Mickey, Florence Getzoni, Dorothy Mann; and by his beloved wife of 62 years, Sophia (nee Sapala), who passed away October 2, 2007. He is survived by his sister Helen Menze; his daughter, Marlene Menze, son-in-law, David Bartnkiewicz, Duryea; and several nieces and nephews. George was a World War II Naval Air Corps veteran with a rating of Machinist's Mate 2nd Class. He flew aboard the Navy's PB4Y and the PBY-5 Catalina "flying boat" patrol bomber as the flight engineer hydraulics equipment specialist. He served in both the American and Pacific Theatres and earned his air crew wings and Good Conduct Medal. He belongs to the American Legion in Duryea, Brennan Regan Post No. 585 and belonged to the VFW Post No. 01227. He was gifted with a glorious tenor voice. As a young boy in New York City, N.Y., he rode the trams and els entertaining the travelers and earning pennies for his singing. In later years, he was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church's choir, was a featured soloist and the choir often sang at other churches in the valley. George always tried to help people with his singing and one of his often requested songs, "The Lord's Prayer," brought tears to many by his beautiful rendition. At home, he was a carpenter, mechanic, mason, roofer, plumber, painter, electrician, washer and dryer repair and TV repair person. At work, he was a press punch/drill operator at Trane Company, Dunmore, until his retirement in 1982. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, October 15, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Episcopal Church, 220 Montgomery Ave., West Pittston, with Fr. Thomas Major officiating. Friends may call Thursday evening October 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Kiesinger Funeral Home Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea. There will be no procession from the funeral home to the church. Friends are asked to go directly to church Friday morning. Interment will be held privately at Fairview Memorial Park Cemetery, Elmhurst. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in George's name to Trinity Episcopal Church, Montgomery and Spring Streets, West Pittston, Pa. Online condolences may be made to
www.kiesingerfuneralservices.com .

Published by Times Leader on Oct. 13, 2010.