George John Valiska, retired school teacher
George John Valiska, 88, of Millsboro, formerly of Glen Burnie, Md., passed away Friday, June 16, 2017, at his home. He was the beloved husband of Joan Valiska for 33 years.
George enjoyed a long career as a high school teacher and coached golf, soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. He retired in 1991. He was a devoted husband and loved spending time with family. Over the years he had many hobbies such as woodworking and raising roller pigeons (NBRC). He loved to travel, crab and fish, play pinochle, read books on his Kindle and watch movies.
George was an avid golfer, gardener, dancer and sports fan; especially Ravens football, UConn Women's Basketball and the Washington Mystics. He was a member of the American Legion, Indian River Yacht Club and Grace United Methodist Church in Millsboro. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Mary Valiska; three sisters, Mary Moreno and her husband Charles, Sue Rowe and her husband Lloyd, and Ann Bosiljevac and her husband Matt; two brothers, Andrew Valiska and his wife Stacy, and Michael Valiska; a daughter, Crystal Whorton; and a brother-in-law, John Zajac.
George is survived by his wife Joan who was always by his side; a sister, Helen Zajac; five daughters, Lorraine Wilkinson and her husband Roy, Debra Robinson and Karl Esch, Kimberly McDowell, Wendy Deale and Robin Polishchuk; a son, Kurt Robinson and his wife Nathalie; son-in-law, Wayne Whorton, son-in-law Dick Deale and a sister-in-law, June Valiska.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Craig Mimms and his wife Carrie, Zachariah Hanson and his wife Anne, Valerie McDowell, George McDowell IV and his wife Regina, Victoria Calvert and her husband Ryan, AJ Whorton, Rick Deale and his wife Shelly, Erin Deale and Sarah Deale; eight great grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m., Sunday, June 25, at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Road, Millsboro.
A visitation will also be held at the funeral home Monday, June 26, from 10 to 11 a.m., where a funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Interment with military honors will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 27, at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro,
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in George's name to Compassionate Care Hospice, 20165 Office Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
