George A. D’Angelo

George, the beloved son of Nicola and Elvera D’Angelo, grew up in the Beltzhoover area of Pittsburgh where he attended St. George School and Church. A political science graduate from Duquesne University in 1965, he participated in the ROTC Program and was commissioned Second Lieutenant before attending flight school at Webb Air Force Base, Texas.

He was an accomplished pilot for 12 years flying four different types of aircraft.  As a fighter pilot, he was assigned to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Rahn Air Force Base in Vietnam, flying the F-4 Phantom II fighter bomber on more than 250 missions. During one mission, George and his co-pilot had to eject from their jet and were rescued from a raft in the South China Sea.  When telling the story, he would laugh and say that he had unzipped his flight suit to work on his tan until help arrived.  In 1973, he was posted to Liberia as a U.S. Air Attache.  During his Africa tour, George had the unique experience of flying the Navy C-117, otherwise known as the C-47 gooney bird.  His next assignment took him to the Strategic Air Command where he served for two years as a B-52 Aircraft Commander.  In 1984, he served as the Air Force Representative on the Olympics Task Force.  Upon completion of this assignment in 1985, he served as Deputy Director of the Humanitarian Assistance Office in the Office of the Secretary of Defense which merits special praise.  He was very instrumental in developing the programs, getting the necessary legislation enacted and assuring the programs’ effectiveness throughout the world.  His remarkable service in OSD benefited countless thousands of the world’s poor and downtrodden. George was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal by the Secretary of Defense.  George remained in the Air Force rising to rank of Colonel before retiring in 1990. The world is indeed a better place for his having served.  George integrated these influences into every important aspect of his life from family to his career to his interests and causes.

After retiring, he received a PhD in Government Studies from Union College.  He had a luminous career for eight years as a special advisor to the United Nations in Conflict Prevention, Humanitarian Affairs, and Peace Keeping Operations.  George coordinated the UN’s International Day of Peace, September 21, and founded the International Day of Peace Vigil.  Working with many organizations, he traveled around the world promoting this day of peace vigil through 24-hour spiritual observation, ceasefire, and nonviolence.

George, together with his dear and loyal friend, Tony Accamando, co-founded the Friends of Danang, a nonprofit made up largely of Vietnam Veterans that do humanitarian work in Vietnam. In addition, George and Tony started Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans.  These service dogs help veterans deal with postmilitary service medical and cognitive disabilities.  Devoting himself to be an advocate for the well-being of military veterans, George was involved in various other veteran related organizations.

Always up for an adventure, George made lifetime memories with family and friends.  After taking sailing lessons, he bought his sailboat, The Inshallah, where he spent many years on the Chesapeake Bay.  In 1971, he opened a natural food supermarket in Falls Church, Virginia.  Along with the “Enrico Gang,” he loved the ritual of making wine, winning first place in several homemade wine contests.  His other interests included golf, pickleball, poker with his card group, and biking.  He was proud to have biked the Allegheny Passage Trail.  Key West was a very special place for George and Lisa as they traveled there often in the last 15 years.  A highlight was George’s entry in the “Hemingway Look Alike Contest” where he tried to start a new category—”Mini Papa.” The judges were not amused, but the story was picked up by the local newspaper and radio station.  George was a celebrity on Duval Street.  George’s greatest joy was spending time with the people he loved.

Loving husband of Lisa (Irvin) D’Angelo, dear father to Rebecca D’Angelo, Keri Kelly, Lisa (Matt) Cowan, and Lisa’s daughter, Lauren (Joe) Yearsley, who he also called his daughter; cherished brother of Carole (Bill) Morse and the late Tina (Ken) Weiland; devoted grandfather to Brigette and Garrett Kelly and Clyde Cowan; sadly missed by his faithful four-legged side kick, Luca.  He was viewed and loved by all his nieces and nephews as an uncle who cared and listened.

George was committed to his colleagues, classmates, Sigma Chi Theta fraternity brothers, friends, and family. He lived a life of appreciation and acceptance, always seeing the best in others and making the most of every day and opportunity.  He was always witty, with a twinkle in his eyes, and a smile on his face.  He will be sorely missed for all the smiles and brightness he brought to the lives of the people around him.

A heartfelt thanks to the exceptional staff at Kane Scott Regional Center (too many to name) who along with Ann, Beth, Marie, and Pastor Dave from Gallagher Hospice gave George compassionate and loving care.

Friends and family will be received on Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray, PA 15317.  Memorial Service with military honors will follow at 12:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Shepard’s Heart Fellowship and Veterans Home, Life Changing Service Dogs for Veterans, Gallagher Hospice or carry out a random act of kindness in George’s legacy of giving.  Let us honor and cherish the memory of this larger-than-life man.