George Marsilio

George Eckwerth Marsilio has passed peacefully in his sleep, in his Port Charlotte, Florida home, on December 7, 2016, at the age of 86. George is now reunited with the love of his life, Jean Susan Marsilio, to whom George was married for 65 years. George was born in Nyack, on November 25, 1927, to Antonio Marsilio and Anna Eckwerth.

As a youth, George was the little boy with the curly black hair who rode his tiny red tricycle on one of the first cement sidewalks in front of his parent’s establishment, Marsilio’s Saloon, on Franklin Street, in Nyack. He graduated from Nyack High School and later served in the Navy during WWII, as Electrician’s Mate Third. George became an electrician by trade, but the role for which most people will always remember him, is as the kind, compassionate, hardworking and generous owner of the Hi Ho Restaurant on Main Street. George, his loving wife Jean and their eight children, as well as some of their spouses, worked side-by-side at this much loved family-oriented restaurant. George joined Mazeppa Firehouse on April 28, 1944, was honored for 50 years of service in 1994, and remained a life-long member. George also renovated the famous, old St. George Hotel, on Burd Street, where people came by horse and buggy to spend time in Nyack during the turn of the century. Memories from George’s childhood kept him from allowing the old building to be torn down.

After retiring from the restaurant business in 1989, George and Jean lived on beautiful Fripp Island, in South Carolina, in their home they fondly named “Marsilio’s Fripp-Flop”. They later moved to Port Charlotte, Florida, where they lovingly entertained friends and family during their Golden Years. George’s loving wife and soul mate, Jean, left this earth to await him in heaven, on June 2, 2014.

George is survived by six of his children, Deborah Laliberte (Robert) of West Haverstraw, Monica Campbell of Nyack, Patricia Breganti (Michael) of Upper Nyack, Nancy Bliss of Upper Nyack, Bella Jane Marsilio of Maryland and Jeffrey Marsilio of Barryville, N.Y. He leaves behind 17 beautiful grandchildren and 16 adorable great-grandchildren. George is predeceased by two of his sons, Mark Anthony Marsilio and George E. Marsilio, Jr., both of whom he loved dearly. George is also predeceased by his sister Marie Hanchar (John), his brother John (Ruth), and his oldest brother Joe. George will be remembered by his 14 nieces and nephews with love and respect.

A wake will be held at Michael Higgins Funeral Home in New City, on Sunday December 11th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Mazeppa Engine Co. #2 will hold firematic services on Sunday at 7:30pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Paul’s Church, at 82 Lake Road, Congers, where Jean and George were married, on Monday, December 12th, at 10 am. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.