George R. Duray

George Richard Duray, 65 of Westmont, passed away peacefully October 20, 2017 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center’s Palliative Care Inpatient Unit.  He was born August 4, 1952 in Johnstown, son of George and Hubertine (Burkhard) Duray.  Preceded in death by parents, brother Harry (Sondra) Updyke, Robert Updyke, David (Janice) Updyke and Richard Burkhard, father-in-law Edward Machowski, sister-in-law Elaine Vehovic and brother-in-law Donald Machowski. 

George is survived by loving wife of 41 years Loretta (Machowski);  son Aaron, his wife Laura (Hanna) and their sons Gavin Richard and Blake Aaron; daughter Andrea and Michael Fanelli; daughter Allison and Robert Hesselberg Jr.  He is also survived by mother-in-law Helen Machowski.; sisters Emily (Leon) McDaniel, Sally (Robert) Wisner and Donna (Charles) Harnett; and brothers-in-law, Joseph Vehovic, William (Bridget) Machowski, Edward (Cindy) Machowski, John Machowski and their families.

George was also blessed with many extended family members, friends, colleagues and neighbors.

He was a Vietnam War veteran serving in the the United States Air Force, then worked at Grandview Cemetery and U.S. Steel before starting his 33-year career as a postal clerk at the U.S. Postal Service, where he retired in 2009.  George had a passion for history and a natural curiosity that made him a wealth of practical knowledge.  He enjoyed life’s simple pleasures including spending time outdoors, his garden, cooking and football, a pastime he participated in as a standout with the Greater Johnstown High School Trojans.  George was a dedicated son, brother, husband and father, always rising to the occasion to take care of the people around him.  At 6’5” he will be remembered as a giant among men and a far greater giant in the kindness and warmth he brought into the lives of all who had the privilege to know him. Family and friends will be received from 4-8pm Thursday, Oct. 26 at Picking, Treece & Bennett Mortuary Inc. ,921 Menoher Blvd.  A funeral mass will be held at 11am Friday, Oct. 27 at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, located at 415 Tioga St., the Very Rev. Mark S. Begly, VF celebrant.  Interment at Grandview Cemetery will follow, with Military Rites. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Voices Against Brain Cancer in George’s name at (www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org)

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