George L Mesina, Sr., age 89, passed peacefully into his heavenly reward at 8 PM on July 19, 2021, amid calls of love and blessings from his children. Born October 27, 1931, to George and Rose Mesina, he began working at age 8 at his father’s Dormont George the Tailor shop, established by his grandfather, George Mesina who had immigrated to the US. Dropping out of High School in 10th grade, he attended art school briefly before following in the footsteps of his father, who had been a boxer until he took over the family business. George boxed for the Golden Gloves championship of Pittsburgh before joining the US Marine Corps in 1952. He rose to all services boxing champion in his weight class in the Pacific theater and was selected for the 1952 US Olympic Team but could not participate because he was activated for the Korean War and deployed to Japan. He earned the Navy Occupation Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal before receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of corporal in Sept. 1955. He wrote weekly to the love of his life, Clare, throughout his military service and married her in November. He resumed working for his father, dry-cleaning, and delivering clothes. George had a heart for service and was famous for helping people all over Dormont with requested tasks and always using his “gift of gab” to bring a smile to people’s lips. He took over the George the Tailor business from his father in 1975 and, with the bookkeeping of Clare, ran it until he was 84. In his retirement, George returned to his artwork, drawing great pictures of his family, famous people, eagles and other patriotic images, scenes from the Bible, and especially Jesus. In his last years, he became a street evangelist in Bethel Park, helping people to seek God through messages “from the heart.” George was charming, charismatic, full of life, and having fun to his final day. He is survived by his hero, Clare, 6 children George (Maggie), Marilyn (Ron) Carter, Carolyn (Dave) Lacek, Maureen Lehman, Lorraine Mesina, and Matt Mesina, 19 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren. Family and friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8 on Sunday 7/25 at Paul Henney Funeral Home, 5570 Library Rd, Bethel Park, PA. His funeral Mass is at St. Catherine Laboure Parish/St. Louise de Marillac Church at 11 AM on Monday, 7/26 and he will be laid to rest at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies with a Marine Corps Honor Guard at 12:30.
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