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George Nemo Obituary
Born on January 3, 1940, George was a 1957 graduate of Donora High School in Pennsylvania and was a proud alum of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, where he is an Alumni of Distinction Award recipient. He went on to receive his doctorate from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., in Virology and Microbiology.
Dr. Nemo had a distinguished career as the Director of Blood Resources, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), where he authored numerous papers and received many prestigious awards. He was responsible for research initiatives and clinical programs that have contributed greatly to improving the knowledge, practice and safety of blood banking and transfusion medicine. During this time, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service.
George was preceded in passing by his parents, George E. and Edythe Nemo, and his parents-in-law Arturo R.H. and Mary Ellen Hau. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Mary Ellen, and their three daughters, Mary Ellen, Kary, and Christina and sons-in-law John Perez, Mike Gilligan, and Boris Skalsky, and his ten grandchildren: John, Phillip, Michael, and Laura Perez; Patrick, Brendan, Ryan, and Kaylyn Gilligan; and Lukas and Sophia Skalsky. Nothing meant more to George than his family; they were each his pride and joy and an endless source of happiness and fulfillment. George loved his brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews, who always returned his love many-fold. Throughout his life, the city of Pittsburgh was close to his heart and some of his favorite topics of conversation were about the Steelers and Pirates. He was an avid fan his entire life.
The family will receive friends from 4pm to 7pm, on Friday, March 25, 2022 at the Keeney & Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM, at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church, 4103 Prices Distillery Road, Ijamsville, MD 21754. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in his memory go to the NIH Children's Inn at 7 West Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814 (www.childrensinn.org).
George and his family appreciate the exceptional and compassionate care that he received at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. The JHH team made him a true partner fighting his battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Nemo
Sponsored by Keeney & Basford Funeral Homes, P.A..
rich mongelluzzo
January 20, 2023
To the George Nemo Family I want to express my condolences on Geo passing. Our school classmate Renee Schmidt Isaacs just informed me. We were classmates from 1st through 12th grade. From St Charles to DHS. We lived a block apart growing up. We played together. I can remember when Geo's father took he and i to see the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team at the old Duquesne Gardens in Pitts. Geo's parents were very good to me and later to my children. If you have extra memorial cards, i would appreciate if you could send me one. Thanks. May the good Lord bless and keep safe your family and mine. Rich & Kathy Mongelluzzo 24 W Euclid Ave. Monongahela,Pa. 15063
Molly McCarthy
July 30, 2022
I’m so sorry to just learn of George’s passing—thinking of all the Nemos. Much love and so many fun memories of Nemo/McCarthy (and Duffy) childhood!
Liana Harvath
March 29, 2022
Dear Mary Ellen and family,
With deepest sympathy I wish you peace and loving support during this difficult time. George was a wonderful colleague at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH. He embodied the very best in scientific integrity and humanity. During the decades of his career he made numerous vital contributions to advancing the safety of the blood supply, blood components and therapies. It was truly an honor working with George.
Leonard and Olga Smith
March 26, 2022
Olga and I were so sad to hear of George's passing. George and Mary Ellen were our neighbors on Regina Drive for years and we saw their three daughters grow up. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary Ellen and the family. Olga and I are at our other home in Texas, otherwise we would have paid our respects for George in person. I still remember George outside on the riding lawn mower with pipe in mouth. God bless you George!
Georgette Yedinak
March 25, 2022
Dear Mary Ellen and Family,
I express my sincere sympathy on the passing of your husband , father and grandfather. I will always remember George as a kind and caring person. I know this is a very difficult time for all of you. May George Rest In Peace with Our Lord, Jesus Christ
Ann Marie Michocki
March 24, 2022
Christina and family,
Grief can be so hard, but your special memories can help ease your sorrow. Thinking of you and your loved one today and always.
Ann Marie
Susan Shurin
March 24, 2022
Dear Mary Ellen and family,
My deepest sympathy as you mourn the loss of your wonderful husband, father and grandfather. I knew George for decades at the NHLBI as the kindest, most ethical and quietly knowledgeable scientist and public servant. He was a calming presence in sometimes chaotic circumstances. It was a privilege to work with him.
Gail Quigley
March 23, 2022
Mary Ellen and I are college friends. Brenda Kessler and I went to Mary Ellen and George’s wedding in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. It was a memorable occasion. The entire Hau family was so welcoming. I reconnected with Mary Ellen and George a few years ago when we crossed paths in a restaurant in Bethany Beach, Delaware. We have been exchanging Christmas Cards since then. George was a lovely man; one in a million. I hope to attend the Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Jocelyn Cenna
March 23, 2022
We have fond memories of seeing George at the beach house in South Bethany and talking about Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates! It was great to have a fellow neighbor from the Burg! Thoughts and prayers to the family.
March 23, 2022
Dear Mary Ellen and family. You have our deepest sympathy as you deal with the loss of George. There are countless memories including time at St. Vincent and at Catholic University. A special memory includes a memorable trip George and I took to the Diamond Center in New York to purchase engagement rings. On the trip home we just had enough money to share one piece of pie at a truck stop in Breezewood. George had to borrow a few dollars from my Dad when he dropped me off so he could get enough gas to get him home to Donora. He will be greatly missed. Kathy and Phil Stukus
Mallary de Merlier
March 23, 2022
Uncle Nathan, I have loved you my whole life. You had a knack for making every one feel special. I always appreciated how present you were when we would talk...you always had time for me. I will forever miss your warm laugh, flawless fashion, sharp wit, deep intellect, enthusiasm, graciousness, kindness, and your love of family, especially Aunt Mary Ellen and your beautiful girls. The coolest uncle, the most loyal friend, and proudest husband, father, and grandfather, you were the greatest and I will miss you madly. What a gift it has been to know and love you. With love and a broken heart, Jessica.
Brenda Kessler
March 23, 2022
George Nemo became the love of Mary Ellen's life in the summer of 1961 when they took a chemistry class together at Seton Hill. As her college roommate, I vividly remember the glow on her face as she spoke of the young man in her class named, George Nemo. Their first date followed shortly afterwards. Also, I remember their charming wedding in 1966 in the big cathedral in Mayaquez, P.R. with her beautiful sisters as her attendants. Through the years I've enjoyed photos of their 3 daughters and 11 grandchildren. George had great personal warmth along with a generous smile, and he made Mary Ellen very happy. It was very satisfying to learn his large family was with him when he passed on.
Julianne Hau
March 22, 2022
I am George’s Sister-in-Law, Sister Julianne Hau
(Mission Helper of the Sacred Heart). God gave me a great - Brother-in-law. He was always a Gentleman and loved people. He was always so in love with my sister, Mary Ellen and 3 daughters and Sons-in-law’s and 10 grandchildren. He knew how to treat everyone special. We were blessed have him. I knew him since I was a teenager- during his dating years. God Bless - George. Heaven is going to love him so much.
Tara Parsons
March 22, 2022
I don't think there could be a better man. So bright, so funny, so kind. So deeply (and rightly) proud of his wife, daughters and their beautiful families. He made the world a better place just walking into a room. I will miss his laugh, his enthusiasm and his sharp sense of style. My heart is with all of the Nemos! xoxoxo
Art Hau
March 22, 2022
George will be sorely missed by all. I have known George for 59 years when he was dating my sister Mary Ellen. He was a great brother-in-law, uncle, father, grandfather, etc. We will really miss George. May he rest in peace!
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