Dr. George Vernon Podelco passed away Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at his residence in Onancock. His wife, Mary Lou, survives him. Born on May 14, 1932, and reared in Piedmont, W.V., he was the son of the late Mary A. and Peter Podelco.
Dr. Podelco graduated from Potomac State College receiving an A.A., West Virginia University receiving his B.A., and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. His employment career consisted of serving as an administrative assistant to the mayor of Nashville, Tenn.; executive director of the Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission #22; and chief executive officer of the Eastern Shore Agency on Aging/Community Action Agency.
He was a member of the Onancock Kiwanis Club, where he served as president of the organization; was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Onancock Rotary Club; a member of the Onancock Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. No. 1766 and the Loyal Order of the Moose; and served on the board of directors of the Virginia Blood Bank of Delmarva; the board of directors of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging; the board of directors of the Southern Gerontological Society; the board of directors of the Eastern Shore Community College; and the board of directors of Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project. He is a veteran of the armed forces, having served in the U.S. Army in Japan during the Korean War.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughters, Jill P. Parks and her husband, Christopher, and their son, Tucker, and Amy L. Yates and her husband, A.C., and their children, Olivia and Isaac, all of Charlottesville, Va. Also surviving are a nephew and several nieces.
A private graveside service will be held at the Philos Cemetery in Westernport, Md.
Contributions in George’s memory may be made to the Onancock Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 28, Onancock, VA 23417 or to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 616, Onley, VA 23418.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.
