George A. "Norge" Dorko

SHAMOKIN — George A. "Norge" Dorko, 92, formerly of 527 S. Seventh St., died at 1:05 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at Mount Carmel Senior Living Community after a brief illness.

He was born in Shamokin April 23, 1923, a son of Stephen Dorko and the former Anna Cervenak (Shervanick). Norge was one of seven children of an Anthracite coal miner and a lifelong resident of the Shamokin area.

He was a retired teacher at Northumberland County Vocational Technical School. He taught and supervised school students in construction of community projects including concession stands, buildings, benches, sidewalks and more. He had written letters of recommendation for graduating students seeking job placement.

He attended St. Mary's Slovak grade school, was a graduate of Shamokin High School and received a bachelor degree equivalent in vocational education from Penn State University.

He was a member of Mother Cabrini Church, Shamokin and was very active there and in the community. He was a church usher for 35 years, volunteered to do maintenance and repairs to church properties and to crosses and statues in church cemeteries. He organized and served as chairman and co-chairman for St. Mary's "300 Club" — a fundraiser for repairs and improvements to church properties. He was a worker and supervisor for St. Mary's annual picnic and did general work at the food stand at the Bloomsburg Fair (both fundraisers). He also performed as Santa Claus at the annual 300 Club Christmas party.

He was an elected official of Northumberland County, serving as jury commissioner for 34 years.

He was an avid bowler and was a member of the U.S. Bowling Congress, a certified instructor of the Junior Bowling Congress.

He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, "A member" of the American Legion Post 231, life member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and a member of the Shamokin Senior Action Center.

He was highly involved in sports. In high school, he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He played semi-professional football out in the professional football league for the Boston Yanks under the direction of Maurice J. (Chipper) Smith; owner was Kate Smith. He served as vice president and official for the newly organized Shamokin-Coal Township Sports Association and was a sponsor of the junior football program. He did volunteer service in establishing the Juvenile Sports Program officiating football, basketball and baseball.

He was assistant football coach at Shamokin Area High School for nine years; they were Eastern Conference Champs in 1975.

He was a member of the Pennsylvania of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) where he served as an official in football for 45 years, basketball for 38 years and baseball for 12 years.

He as an honoree and recipient of the PIAA Recognition Award for 35 years and more, working with Pennsylvania youth. He also assisted in obtaining aides for United Cerebral Palsy — items which are helpful to cerebral palsy victims to perform various tasks and also acted as Santa Claus at United Cerebral Palsy Christmas parties.

George served in the U.S. Army during WWII, entering active duty Jan. 17, 1944, in Harrisburg. During his enlistment, he served with the 5th Mobile Radio Broadcasting Co. in Ardennes, Rhinland and central Europe. He received the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 battle stars, the Good Conduct Medal and the WWII Victory Medal.

He received an honorable discharge April 14, 1946, from Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He is survived by his lifelong friend, Geraldine Bonchak; a sister, Catherine Pultynovich, of Shamokin, with whom he resided; his loving nieces and their spouses, Debra Crone, and Arthur, of Shamokin, Regina Carey and Michael, of Paxinos, Grace Piaseczny and Kenneth, of Coal Township, and the chief engineer, Cathy Dapra and Richard, of Coal Township; great-nieces and nephews, Guy, Jenna, Deidra and Jimmy; great-great-nephews, Russell, Weston and Collin; a sister-in-law, Rose Dorko; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Joseph, Stephen and John; and two sisters, Mary and Anna. He was a wonderful loving brother, uncle and friend.

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DORKO — George A. "Norge" Dorko, 92, formerly of 527 S. Seventh St., Shamokin. A viewing will be held at Leonard J. Lucas Funeral Home, 120 S. Market St, Shamokin from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Leonard J. Lucas Jr. supervisor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m, Saturday at Mother Cabrini Church, Shamokin. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Coal Township. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the Disabled American Veterans at DAV NSO, VAROIC, P.O. Box 42938, Wissahickon and Manheim streets, Philadelphia 19101 or online at dav.org.