Mr. George Francis Strollo

George Francis Strollo was born in New York City on October 24, 1913. He was an Arlington County resident for over 70 years. George was one of seven children born to Rocco and Maria Strollo. Rocco and Maria separately emigrated from Italy in the late 1800’s through Ellis Island--Rocco from Buccino Italy--and they met and married in New York City on September 29, 1901.

Rocco was a butcher and owned and operated his own butcher shop in New York City. The family started on the east side of Midtown, moved to the Bronx when George was in grade school, then later to Queens. The family of nine lived above their butcher shop. George was the child his parents selected to go on to college, and he received his undergraduate degree in engineering from New York University followed by a Masters in Civil Engineering from Cornell University. He took his first job post graduation in New York City, but relocated a few years later to Washington, DC.

George began a career as a professor at George Washington University in Washington, DC. It was there that he met Marian Whitaker, who eventually became his wife of over 70 years, until she passed on December 26, 2012. George and Marian moved to Buckingham Apartments in Arlington County in the early 1940’s where their first child, Jackie, was born. They purchased and moved to their beloved home in North Arlington in 1949 where they had their second daughter, Laurie. Both Jackie and Laurie attended Yorktown High School, with Jackie having the honor of being in the new high school’s first graduating class.

George transitioned from his career as a professor to one in the Navy where he served as a Reserve Officer obtaining the rank Captain, and as Navy civilian personnel. When World War II started, his dream to become a Marine was thwarted because his eyesight disqualified him. He later recalled how fortunate he was to have a friend who introduced him to the U.S. Navy where he could use his engineering education. He rose rapidly in rank during his career at the Navy temporary annex along the Mall on Constitution Avenue, and later at the Pentagon. He received the Distinguished Civil Service Award from the Secretary of the Navy. The citation reads, “For distinguished service and extraordinary contributions to the current readiness and future capability of the United States Navy and Marine Corps combat forces while serving as Special Assistant in the Office of Program Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy from January 1964 to May 1976. With exceptional knowledge and background experience, sure, clear judgment and outstanding devotion to duty he has provided penetrating analysis and invaluable counsel to the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Navy on the most critical issues of naval strategy, force balance and weapons system effectiveness. Mr. Strollo’s performance throughout this period and during his entire career with the Navy Department reflects exceptional credit upon himself and the naval service.”

George is loved and cherished by his family, which in addition to his two daughters, includes five grandchildren, Kim Crouch, Andrew Boone, Emma Masterman, Daniel Masterman, and Julia Masterman; two great-grandchildren, Anne and Parker Holcomb; and beloved nieces and nephews, as well as his many friends and neighbors. He enjoyed biking and tennis into his 80’s and swimming until he was 101 during senior swim time at the Yorktown Pool, where he was selected to cut the ribbon to open the new pool in 2012. He was a role model to his family and friends for his family values, work ethic, leadership, athleticism, and strength of will to remain independent and vital. He lived independently in his home until he passed, actively engaged on his computer every day. George was a gentleman through and through.