George E Netterfield

George Netterfield, age 98, born on December 22, 1918, of Palm Harbor, FL passed peacefully, surrounded by his devoted family and with the loving care of the many dedicated staff at St. Mark Village, for which we are most grateful.

The son of Elgie and Ruth Johnson Netterfield, George was born and raised with his sister, Emma McLaren and step-sister, Helen, in Toledo, Ohio where he met and married his loving wife, Mary DiFrancia Netterfield.

George began working at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI in the tool room and later apprenticed as a draftsman until he entered WWII, serving in the U.S. Navy as a Watertender, Second Class on the LST-900 in the South Pacific.

Following the war, he moved to Midland, MI to join his family and the family business, Trettin’s Sunoco Service which he later expanded into an IGA grocery store. This was a precursor to what we now call convenience stores, except on a more grandiose scale.

Always interested in learning and meeting new challenges, he and his wife, Mary, moved to Florida in the 1960’s where George completed his accounting degree at FSU and became the Controller, setting up and operating the financial systems at the newly created Central Pinellas Transit Authority, now named PSTA.

George and Mary were married 66 years before her passing, and they enjoyed many years of travel, dancing and spending time with family and friends. George is survived by his three children, David (Carol) Netterfield of Rantoul, IL , Judith (Lee) Burgess of Holiday, FL and Annette (Robert) Pierce of Midland, MI as well as a daughter-in-law, Mary (Pnacek) Netterfield of Rock Springs, WY.

George enjoyed hearing about the lives of his 15 grandchildren and his many great-grands. He tried to keep up with their activities and pursuits in life, and he always enjoyed spending time with them.

A man of great faith and a charter member, business manager and volunteer at All Saints Catholic Church in Clearwater, he was persistent in practicing his faith and serving others. During this time, he studied and became a Lay Pastoral Minister through the Diocese of St. Petersburg, doing ministry in church, nursing homes and wherever he was needed. He also volunteered as an AARP Tax-Aide for many years, preparing income taxes for many people.

Upon moving to St. Mark Village, he became a dedicated member of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Palm Harbor, FL. He continued his passion in life to care for and serve others. Even in his later years, he touched the hearts and souls of others through his endearing smile, gratitude and love for all he met.

A Funeral Liturgy will be held on Wednesday, 04/05/2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 2757 Alderman Rd, Palm Harbor, FL. "In lieu of flowers, donations in George's memory can be made to charities for assisting others, such as St. Luke Outreach at St Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church in Palm Harbor, St Vincent DePaul Society through All Saints Catholic Church in Clearwater, St Mark Village Continuing Care in Palm Harbor, FL or a favorite charity of your choice. Your prayers and support are and have been most meaningful. For that, George's family is most grateful."

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sylvan Abbey Funeral Home.