GEORGE RADNICK

RADNICK
GEORGE
Age 94, a lifelong resident of Coverdale, PA, known now as Bethel Park. Passed away peacefully on March 28, 2015, surrounded in the comfort of his loving family and a lifelong, dear friend. George was the beloved son of the late Tereza Radnick Gerdich and Anthony Radnick, and lovingly raised by Andy (Pap) Gerdich; loving brother of the late Barbara Penezic Bernardini, Steve (Banjo) Radnick, Ann Radnick Senovich, Mary (Mayo) Radnick, and Anthony Gerdich. George is survived by his loving sister, Helen Gerdich Masisak; also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews. George fondly remembered his youth – herding cows, going down to the swimming hole at the creek in Tischler's woods - and never forgot his roots in the coal mining town of Coverdale where he was born April 5, 1920. His struggles growing up during the depression years, looking for pieces of coal by the railroad tracks or selling tomatoes, were always evident in his character. He later followed his father and older brother to work in Mine No. 8 for one year before enlisting in the Army Air Corps during WWII, where he served his country from 1942 to 1945. He was a great jitterbug dancer who often enjoyed dancing on Cherry St. in Coverdale and on Wylie Ave. in Pittsburgh. An accomplished poet, he had one of his poems forever captured in bronze on his brother Steve's monument in Bethel Cemetery, "Ode to a Miner", and later published in the Pittsburgh Press. George also liked to sing and play the guitar and harmonica, enthusiastically enjoying his favorite music – country hits from Marty Robbins, George Jones and Hank Williams as well as many Croatian folk songs like favorite, "Mladi Kapetane". After George's return from the service, he was contracted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Forbes Field in 1948 for rubbish removal after football and baseball games, the circus, and many other events. George later followed the Pittsburgh Pirates to Three Rivers Stadium, contracting until 1972. George had a knack for capturing important moments and milestones in his photos and treasures of his family, of Coverdale, and of life as it once was. His fascinating stories, his quick wit and his style, truly unlike any other's, were enjoyed by many and will be remembered by all. George, we thank you for all the love, fun, memories and guffaws that you shared with family and friends over the years. You will be dearly missed. "Sretan Put" to be with God and your loved ones. Funeral arrangements by BEINHAUER - CONNELL, 5120 West Library Ave., Bethel Park, 412-835-7940 on Friday 6-9 p.m. and Saturday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. No visitation Easter Sunday. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Valentine Church Monday 9:30 a.m. Interment will be in Bethel Cemetery. Please view and add tributes at :
www.beinhauer.com
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