George Joseph Vellella, 84, of Shawano, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2015, at the Shawano Medical Center while surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 4, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of the late George and Vicenza “Jennie” (Asta) Vellella.
George was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather who served as a wonderful role model and support to his six boys. Anyone who has ever met George remembers his boisterous, welcoming voice and his even bigger smile – a real gentle giant. He enjoyed reading, fishing, Packers football, playing cards and spending time with his family. As a retired captain in the U.S. Naval Reserves, he rarely missed the annual Army/Navy football game to renew an ongoing rivalry with his brother Frank – a retired colonel in the U.S. Army.
As the Marinette city engineer, George combined engineering skills with a passion for fishing, designing the fish-walk that now crosses the Menominee River in Marinette.
George was preceded in death by Ann, his loving wife of 55 years; infant son, Jon; and brother, Frank.
George is survived by his six sons, George (Susan) Vellella Jr., of Edgerton, Steven Vellella, of Neenah, Mark (Ann) Vellella, of Bath, Maine, Robert (Carrie) Vellella, of Woodbury, Minnesota, Christopher (Gail) Vellella, of Tamms, Illinois, and Paul (Christie) Vellella, of Normal, Illinois; nine grandchildren, Trent (Grace), George (Theresa), Tara, Matt, Joe, Paul, Christian, Quentin and Alyssa (Sunny); and seven great-grandchildren, Brandon, Lily, Lainey, Jimmy, Julia, Sidney and Gabi.
There will be a memorial service planned for this summer. Once determined, the date and time of the memorial service may be found at www.swedbergfuneralhome.com as well as in the Swedberg Funeral Home service box in The Shawano Leader.
www.swedbergfuneralhome.com
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