There is nobody better than you. Thank you for showing unconditional love to our entire family. It was one of the biggest blessings in my life to have you as a papa and a great papa to our 4 kids. 

I love you so very much.

My husband,my love, my life and friend, George was a man who always thought of someone else and if u where in need of anything he was there. George is one of a kind and we were all so lucky to have him in our life.  My life will never be the same without U.

Papa, there are no words to describe the love we shared. You were always there. And I know in my heart you always will be. You loved genuinely and hard. To say I’ll miss you is not close to how I feel. Geo and I got to play your last card game and were able to hug on you for days right before you passed. And for that I’m beyond grateful. There were a lot of words said and I’ll never forget them. The fact that you cared so little about yourself, even in the end, spoke volumes.  You are my biggest loss and my heart is broken. Yet I have to know, and I do, you’re in a better place…. Free from pain and suffering. Papa, you are my world, and you made me who I am. For that I’ll be forever grateful. I love you more.

“Mostly it is a loss which teaches us about the worth of things”.                                                    I thought this quote was appropriate since so many take Life for granted and don’t comprehend how short Life actually is. My best memory of George will be of him and Mom sitting on the beach… quietly and peacefully… enjoying the Sun and water together. I know George strived for peace and now has it again. He will be missed by many.

Grandpa, I will Miss eating dinner at night with you, listening to you tell stories from your days in the Korean War, to playing board or card games with you, and I'm sorry we didn't play by the "rules!" Grandpa, I Love You So Very Much and myself, your family and all who knew you, will Miss you. Just know this, Grandma is in perfect hands, she Will be taken care of and loved very much. I think it's only fitting I end with words of scripture, a verse that I hope encourages us and comforts us. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:4. Family and friends, know this, Grandpa's cancer is gone, his pain is Gone. He is happy. Grandpa, I Love You and I will Miss you today and everyday. One more time, "Hey Grandpa, I Want to Tell You Something!" God Bless.

Grandpa George, "I Want to Tell You Something!" That was your sentence you would always say! Let me say this, you have met so much to our family that words cannot explain. The day you married Grandma, you knew you found someone truly special!! You found a family truly special, a family of Love, Christ centered and a family through good times and bad, always supported each other, leaned on each other, and loved each other no matter what. These last couple weeks, I've asked myself, what was my Favorite memory with you? A really difficult question to answer, because I have a lot of fun memories with you, over the last twenty-six years of my life. If I had to answer, I would say, the days spent at the beautiful Residents' Beach here on the marvelous Marco Island, we would be attempting to float while dodging waves in the Gulf of Mexico and you would sneak up behind us with a noodle and squirt water on us, you found it very humorous, it was your favorite thing to do! Let me be honest, we enjoyed it! It was unique to you. Over the course of my life, I saw your strong Faith in Jesus and how you lived your life. Every morning you would open your garage so neighbors and friends could come by and talk to you or occasionally borrow your wide array of tools! Jesus called us to be His disciples by loving others and showing His love to them, and Grandpa, you did just that and more. It was so beautiful and heartwarming to see. Your life is an example of how we all should live, always being available to help others or simply needing time to talk. Thank you for leaving this legacy behind for all of us.

From the New Testament Book of John.
John Ch. 14: 1-3
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms ; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

May the Lord bless you and keep you. 
May the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. 
May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Throughout the years we are blessed with certain relationships, that said my relationship with George is one of the most important relationships in my life. George’s love, caring, insight and thoughtfulness has been steadfast. From the time I was a child, George gave of himself to foster our relationship, whether it was him taking me up for a flight in a plane he piloted, to motorcycle rides to his favorite breakfast spot, to camping trips or visits to his friend’s stock car garage or working with him on a project in the garage. I cherish these memories.

It is something that is evident to everyone who even slightly knows George and to those that have been fortunate to generate deeper relationships with George it is foundational to their feelings for George;  George is a humble and caring friend who would never have to be asked twice about going out of his way to provide help, guidance, or the lending of an item from his wide assortment of tools carefully organized in his garage (well, carefully organized in a system for which he alone knew the code) and we knew George was not bashful to sharing his opinions. 

George has provided us all with an extraordinary example of a 94 year old man who loved the lord, lived his life well, cared for his family and friends and one aspect that I am particularly grateful for is his actions as a loving grandfather who has cast a powerful legacy for my children to remember and follow.   

We will love and miss him.

I have been blessed to have George as a part of my life for the past 50 years; during that time I have been witness to a life well lived; George has been a devoted and loving husband to my Mom, a caring and loving Dad to his daughters; an engaging and loving step-dad and father-in-law, and a Grandfather and Great-Grandfather who expressed unending love. 

George was a passionate and humble man who loved family, friends, Harley Davidson motorcycles, Jazz music, dancing and Nascar. He was a patriotic veteran, he loved camping, fishing the backwaters of Marco and he Loved Resident’s Beach here on Marco. Although George loved to travel, especially to Switzerland, his favorite European country, when traveling to other beaches he would always ask why would he go to any other beach then his beach on Marco. As you move about this room and review some of the pictures of George you will see him relaxing on the beach with his custom made beach cart. 

On top of all this and something that can certainly not be left out is that George was a Dog lover, there is not a Dog that did not love George and likewise there is not a dog out there that George would pass up an opportunity to give a good belly rub or scratch behind the ears to.

In my eyes, George was a strong and tough kinda guy, who treated others with respect and love. 
George and I enjoyed many deep and thoughtful conversations, together.
Whether it be out in his shop, watching Bill O’Reilly or just hand’n out, we had some pretty good talks.
Through these conversations, George would regularly demonstrate a keen understanding of people and their nature. 
George was a good man. 
May he rest in peace. 
Sincerely and with love, 
brother in law Gene

My fondest memories of George are the hours we spent watching NASCAR auto racing and talking about cars in general. He would often tell stories about his friend Darnell who was a race car driver and the interesting things that happened to him while being a part of that crowd. One of his favorite stories was about having pit passes at Daytona and all of the crazy antics that went on.

I also enjoyed the hours sitting on the beach with him, listening to the stories about his time in the military.

My heart is saddened by his loss, and I extend my deepest sympathy to family and friends.

We have known both of you for over 50 years. We were always good
friends and have lots of great memories. George will definitely be
missed. He was a good friend and Brother in Arms.
Ron & Sandy

George will really be missed. You know what you mean to us Adrienne. I’m so sorry for what you are going through. You both accepted us into the neighborhood and made us feel like family. George was a strong , energetic, special person whom we are glad to have known. We are always here for you. 
Love, The Gruccis

OBITUARY

George John Podolak

October 14, 1928 – August 21, 2023

Hodges-Josberger Funeral Home

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