George Svaranowic

George passed into eternity into the arms of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, October 23, at home in Bethel Park, PA, with family at his side.

The only child of Teresa Schmidt Svaranowic and George Svaranowic, of McKees Rocks, PA, he was 91 years old.

He shared 65 years of marriage with his wife, Jetta Fetherol Svaranowic, of Morgantown, WV. They met in 1956 at a 50-cent cafeteria dance at Duquesne University.

Marriage followed on August 27, 1960, at St. Theresas Church, in Morgantown.

His children included two sons, George Philip and Daniel Louis and a daughter Judith Marie. Grand children are Courtni Durbin, Michaela, Jovina and Nicole Svaranowic, Teresa Harold, grandchildren, Miles and Myla, and a great grandchild, Grayson Durbin.

After high school at St. Mary’s in McKees Rocks, George spent two years in the US Army, with one year in Okinawa, Japan. George then attended the University of Pittsburgh, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. After four years with Halliburton, George switched careers to Fire Prevention Engineering with Factory Mutual System, then to Babb, ending with Duquesne Light Co. in Shippingport, PA, at the Nuclear Power plant as a Senior Fire Prevention Engineer.

His activities included Little & Pony League coach of St. Louise de Marillac Church, 40 years as an Usher at the church, President of SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineering) in Pittsburgh, and active involvement in BCCA, Beer Can Collector of America, attending beer can shows in the Tri-State area. His beer can collection included 15,000 cans, numerous beer trays, mirror & neon signs. He served two consecutive terms as Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council 3084 in Bethel Park and was also a Fourth degree Knight. Indian guides were another activity.

Family vacations were 14 years at Deer Valley YMCA Camp, where he enjoyed volleyball, and the pottery wheel.

Friends and family will be welcomed at Paul Henney Cremation & Funeral Tributes, 5570 Library Road, Bethel Park, on Monday, October 27, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, followed by Mass at St. Catherine Laboure Parish, St. Louise de Marillac Church, at 12pm, Noon. Burial will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Twp. A reception follows at Le Gras Hall of St. Louise.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of George Svaranowic, please visit our floral store.