George David Nedostup was born in Rankin, PA, presumably at home, on February 20, 1929. His parents were the late Nicholas and Julia Nedostup (Horensky.) In spite of growing up in hard economic times, he had a loving home. He was not aware his family was poor until his late teen years. His high school years were interrupted by illness and he graduated from Schenley Standard Evening School.
His first employment was at Quinn Hardware Company in Braddock, PA, which was only notable because he met Theresa L. Mycka, who worked next door in a dry cleaners establishment. George offered Theresa a ride home from work. She accepted, unaware that George had no automobile, nor could he drive one if available. The young couple was married on June 23, 1950 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Swissvale, PA. The couple was blest with four children, Mark Anthony, Allan George, Lisa Marie and Rebecca Allyn. Allan underwent open-heart surgery on two occasions only to be tragically swept to his death in a flooded stream on June 28, 1966.
George’s employment at Quinn Hardware was followed by a job at The Famous Department Store’s Men’s Department, the least favorite employment of his working career. Next was a job he grew to love, brakeman and conductor on the Union Railroad. The drawback to this job was the frequent, and sometimes long furloughs due to the vagaries of the steel industry. During one of these furloughs, George accepted a position as clerk with the Post Office Department at the Pittsburgh Post Office. The position was temporary, NTE 90 days, Not to Exceed 90 days! George retired as a Postal Inspector on June 30, 1987, the last day he could work because of mandatory retirement.
Appointment as a Postal Inspector, a great opportunity, resulted in an assignment in Jamaica, Queens, New York City. After about a year of separation, George was able to join the family when they moved to Baldwin on the south shore of Long Island. Just as promotions and other salary advantages brought a measure of financial security to the family, Theresa Nedostup (nee Mycka) died after a short illness. Lisa went away to college, Mark had not been living at home; the family was now reduced to Rebecca, age 10 at her mother’s death, and George. Life somehow went on.
About two years after Theresa’s death, George allowed a co-worker/friend to arrange a dinner date. This became the subject of a short story “A FEW DRINKS AND A FEW LAUGHS.” As a result, George got the courage to ask an employee of the institution where George conducted his financial affairs, out for dinner.
Six months later, Anita Kuhn joined George Nedostup in Holy Matrimony at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Baldwin, NY, Pastor Robert Isaacson officiating. Anita’s daughter, Patti joined us at 900 Schuman Place and Richard Dargan, Anita’s son who lives with his wife Joy and son Chris in Rochester, all were blessed additions to the family. In a few years Patti was working in Los Angeles and Becky was pursuing higher education at Harvard. George, anticipating mandatory retirement requested a transfer to North Carolina, and Anita and George began their residence in Raleigh, NC.
Federal Law required employees employed in a law enforcement position to retire if they were employed in that position for twenty years and were over 50 years old. George reached that requirement on June 3rd, 1987 but could continue to work until June 30. At 5:00 PM, June 30, 1987, George, who had left his key to the office with the secretary, assured himself that he was the last to leave the office, and left the best job he ever had.
What to do at age 57, with 20 years investigative experience, wanting to continue investigating? Applications for employment in qualified North Carolina investigative jobs brought the usual response, “ We are impressed with your experience and ability, however...” George found his niche with MSM Security Services conducting background investigations for several Federal Agencies on a self-employed, contract basis. This employment, which would continue when Anita and George moved to Lewisburg, PA, together with similar employment with US Investigative Services, provided a second career of over 20 years.
The trips to Pennsylvania from Raleigh to visit Anita’s mom, Emma, in Williamsport and George’s mother, who he had always called “Mame”, began. Five hundred mile trips became tiresome so the couple looked around and found a townhouse in Lewisburg, which they moved into in July, 1998. Anita began volunteering at the American Red Cross and at Evangelical Hospital, which she continues to do. George volunteered with Prisoner Visitation and Support, visiting prisoners at Federal prisons at Lewisburg and Allenwood, PA. He also volunteered with Hospice of Evangelical. Although there have been bumps along the road of health for both, we have been blessed to meet wonderful people in all our endeavors.
There are so many worthy groups trying to help all of God’s creatures, be it those with two feet, four feet, or two wings, so how can we ask that you support our favorites. In remembrance perhaps I should just ask that you be kind to one or two of God’s creatures.
Funeral Services will conducted by Pastor Ricky Phillips at Mazeppa Union Church, 3200 Johnson Mill Road, Lewisburg, PA, on Saturday January 14th at 1:00PM, with visitation at 12:00 PM. I’ve never been a morning person.
Thanks for your attention. If you skipped to the end, that’s OK.