George R. Gana

George R. Gana passed away peacefully on July 18, 2025, after 92 years of enjoying life to the fullest. He died of congestive heart failure and asbestosis-induced lung impairment at his Seaview home with his wife, Rachel, at his side. In declining health for several years, George was a good patient, working tenaciously to thrive until the end.

While our hearts mourn the loss, we take comfort in knowing he no longer suffers. He is now at a reunion with friends and family he hasn’t seen in a long time, as well as his animal companions that are wagging their tails in greeting.

Foremost about George, you always knew where you stood with him. He truly loved his family and friends, and made sure they all knew it. Phone calls, cribbage games, and visits were a continuing source of joy, peace and comfort to him until the end. We miss his presence, generosity, sense of adventure, and storytelling. And what a lot of stories he had to tell.

George was born on October 1, 1932, in Philadelphia, PA, to Slovak immigrants Paul F. and Anna (Kasan) Gana. He was proud to be a first-generation Slovak and didn’t learn English until he attended grade school. He graduated from the Slovak St. Agnes Catholic School but didn’t finish high school because of the lure of professional baseball games at the stadium directly across the street from his school. He was scouted by a major league team but not recruited, which was probably for the best since his parents felt that only “bums” played baseball for a living.

Tricked by his family into joining the U.S. Army in November 1949, George was stationed at Camp Hanford near Richland, WA. After being honorably discharged in September 1953 as a corporal E-4, he served in the Army National Guard from November 1954 to September 1955, when he was honorably discharged. George’s rank fluctuated due to his adventurous, independent nature and strong-willed stubbornness.

George married Elaine L. Hartz in September 1953, and they raised five children: Don, Larry, Richard, Robert, and Sheila. The couple divorced in November 1967, and George remained single until he met Rachel D. Veith in 1985 on the Columbia River. They married in June 1990 in Pensyvania.

A painter, carpet-layer, and finally a pipefitter, George was a 65-year member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 598 of Pasco, WA. Expanding his union knowledge, he completed a course in labor law at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. He worked many years at Hanford Nuclear Reservation and traveled throughout the U.S. for his job, often accompanied by Rachel, whom he preferred not to work and whose volunteer labors he steadfastly supported.

After retiring, George had an important volunteer role with St. Vincent de Paul Conference in Seaview and their food bank in Ilwaco. His work has left a significant impact on our community. George could build or fix nearly anything because of his vast life experiences, and he enjoyed working on projects with others and sharing his knowledge.

George built a house for Elaine big enough to give each child their own room, and also built a house with Rachel in Seaview, where he resided until his death.

Holding a pilot’s license from 1967-72, George had many adventures flying throughout the U.S. He loved to fish for almost anything and had many boats over the years, with “Sheila Marie” being his favorite. He also had a lifelong love of baseball. A member of many fraternal organizations over the years, he remained active in Don R. Grable Post 48 of the American Legion. He was also a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Seaview.

Proud of the whole Gana clan, George is survived by his wife Rachel, brother Stanley, sons Don (Lori), Robert (Cathy), and daughter Sheila Libby (Russell), 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren.

George was particularly proud of Don’s accomplishments as a bowler, Larry for his expert rebuilding of Corvettes and speedboats, Richard’s dedication to his family and hard work on the railroad to support them, and Robert’s work as a union pipefitter, which put his two boys through college, one earning a masters degree and the other, a PhD. He was proud of Sheila for raising two great children who now have families of their own.

George was preceded in death by his parents; brothers John L., Frank S., Albert P, and Stephen J.; sisters Pauline Zakowski, Mary DiPaola, Helen Krajcik; ex-wife Elaine; and sons Richard and Larry.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary, Seaview, August, 2nd, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow at the church hall. George’s ashes will be interred on the Columbia River Bar at a later date. An online guestbook is available at penttilaschapel.com, where you can share condolences and memories.

In lieu of flowers, please consider to donating to St. Vincent de Paul (PO Box 648, Seaview, WA 98644), South Pacific County Humane Society (PO Box 101, Long Beach, WA 98631), or Harbors Home Health and Hospice (201 7th St., Hoquiam, WA 98550).