George Andrew Hritz

George Andrew Hritz, 92, of Cheswick, passed away Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, at Family Hospice and Palliative Care, Pittsburgh. He was born Dec. 28, 1922, in Punxsutawney, son of the late Peter and Sophie (Sheofsky) Hritz. George was a security guard for Gulf Research, Harmarville for 30 years and previously worked as a coal miner at several local mines. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Army and a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Tarentum. George graduated from Punxsutawney High School where he was an outstanding athlete. He was a four-year letterman in basketball and football and also played minor league baseball. George married his high school sweetheart and cheerleader, Mary I. (Lazorcak) Hritz. George loved his church, golfing bowling and was an avid sports fan. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Survivors include his children, Denise M. (Tim) Vigrass, O'Hara Township, and George A. (Beverly) Hritz, Greensburg; grandchildren, Kristen Vigrass, Brooklyn, N.Y., Aaron (Heidi) Hritz, Blawnox, Jennifer (Stuart) Shaw, Westview, Bradley (Megan) Vigrass, Newtown, Pa., and Sara Vigrass and friend, Troy, Pittsburgh; great-grandchildren, Ashley Hritz, Zachary Vigrass, Owen Vigrass and Dillon Shaw; his twin sister, Marie Hudak, Pittsburgh; and brother, Charles Hritz, St. Mary. Also surviving are his sisters-in-law, Lola Jean Lazorchak, Punxsutawney, and Elizabeth (William) Dubensky, Flushing, Mich.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Mary I. (Lazorcak) Hritz; and nine brothers and sisters. Visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday in the DUSTER FUNERAL HOME INC., 347 E. 10th Ave., Tarentum, 724-224-1526. Panachida will be conducted at 9:15 a.m. Tuesday in the funeral home followed by a Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m. in Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Tarentum, with the Rev. Wesley M. Mash officiating. Interment in Deer Creek Cemetery, Harmar Township. Parastas will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday the funeral home.Family suggests contributions to Sts. Peter & Paul Byzantine Catholic Church, Tarentum, or Meals on Wheels, c/o St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Springdale. Visit: dusterfuernalhomeinc.com.Published in The Valley News Dispatch on Nov. 29, 2015