George Hoden, 95, of Englewood, Florida died on Monday, October 21, 2024, after a brief illness. He was born on April 28, 1929, in Sheffield, Pa., to the late John and Mary Hoden. He was from a large Ukrainian immigrant family and was one of ten children.

George married the love of his life, Beverly Jones, on May 13, 1950. She was his sweetheart from high school, where he was a star on the gridiron and she a cheerleader. They lived in Warren, Pa., where they raised their family of four surrounded by their large respective families and a deeply rooted sense of community. They later retired and moved to Englewood, Fl., while spending summers in Ellicottville, NY.

George worked for the Pennsylvania Electric Company for his entire career. When he was a lineman, the phone was always ringing with emergencies, and he was always willing to go and help people who were without power. As his career progressed, he relished seeing younger linemen learning what he did—working in dangerous conditions in inclement weather and helping others.

This desire to help others was rooted in George’s hard scrabble immigrant background and in his Catholic religious tradition. He believed success in life was possible through hard work, determination, and grit. His longevity is a function of that spirit, especially in light of the many health crises he endured and from which he always recovered. George detested arrogance, and was happy to offer up opinions of people he felt were insufferably self-important. He was, however, impressed by intelligence and academic achievement, especially in his children, grandchildren, and extended family.

George had a hearty sense of humor and enjoyed retelling jokes he heard at work or at the Elks Club, where he was a longtime member. Jackie Gleason’s ‘Honeymooners’, followed by ‘All in the Family’ frame that perspective nicely. Bev tolerated his storytelling to a point, and then would move him on to other, more serious, topics at the family table.

George was intensely competitive. He passionately followed the teams he loved, and sports in general—high school, college, and professional teams. Whether it was football, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis or any other sport, he seemed to have deep knowledge of the statistics, players, and coaching staff. Growing up in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest gave him a deep love for the outdoors and as such he was an avid hunter, expert marksman, and impatient fisherman. In retirement, George became a golf obsessed participant and observer. The cap on this passion was when he hit a hole in one with his sister in-law, nephew and nephew’s spouse as witnesses.

George was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years in 2021, and all his siblings. He is survived by his children, Dan (Sue) of Warren; Beth (John Mickinak) of Greensburg; Sue (Marvin) Reinke of Lewistown, and Toby (Nancy Ameen) of Philadelphia. His nine grandchildren, Lisa (Nick) Radio; George (Louisa) Hoden; Madeleine (Travis) Pittman; Molly (Chris) Loggins; Alex Mickinak; Kara (Brooks) Miller; Lucas Reinke; Olivia Hoden; Justin Hoden; and six great-grandchildren, Bryce Radio; Zachary Radio; Penelope Hoden; Oscar Hoden; Christopher Loggins; and Jeremiah Loggins.

A celebration of his life will be held at a future date to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Warren County, Second Harvest Backpack Fund, 310 Second Avenue, Warren, PA 16365 E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com  The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.