Obituary of Dr. George J. Dusckas, M.D.

George J. Dusckas, M.D.

George J. Dusckas, M.D., age 100, of Millcreek Township, passed away on Friday, March 8, 2019.   He was

 born on December 7, 1918 in Titusville, PA, the son of the late Anna and John Dusckas.  He was a graduate of Cambridge Springs High School, cum laude, in 1936, attended Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY prior to receiving his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1945.  Dr. Dusckas served his country with honor and distinction as a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps during WW II.  Dr. George did a four -year residency in Ear Nose and Throat at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, practiced in Erie, PA for 46 years, and at the Veterans Administration for ten years. He was President of Hamot Medical Center from 1973-1975 and was the oldest living member of the medical staff.  During the polio season of 1952, he did many tracheotomies on polio patients at the Lakeside Hospital later to become the Gertrude Barber Center. He was a life-long member of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church where he received “Father of the Year” in 1990.  He was very active in local Republican politics, chairman of the committee for Karl Boyes and Charles Wise campaigns, an active alumnus of the University of Pittsburgh, and one of the original founders of the Erie Chapter of the Pitt Golden Panthers along with Dr. Al Mango, Dr. Robert Lobe, and Dr. Tim Gerrety.  He was a charter member of the Erie Zoological Society and a Charter member of the Sertoma Club, a Life Member of the Zem Zem Shrine Jerusalem Council No. 33, R. & S.M., and the Erie Maennerchor.  He was also a 50- year member (Life Member) of the Tyrian Commonwealth Lodge #362 F. & A.M., a 32nd degree member of the Valley of Erie for over 50 years, a 50- year member of the Royal Order of Jesters 058, a 50- year member of the Mt. Olivet Community No. 30, Knights Templar Eye Foundation – Life Sponsor, the Temple Royal Arch Chapter No. 215, past member of the Erie County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society, and the AMA.  He enjoyed all kinds of sports; especially the University of Pittsburgh Basketball and Football and Pittsburgh Steelers Football.  In 1964, he won the Class B City Bowling Tournament and had his first 700 series.  He enjoyed golfing at the Kahkwa Club for over 50 years with Dr. William Lamberton, Frank Scalise, Paul Seiber, and Attorney William Schaff.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola, of twenty-seven years, who passed away in May of 1977, two brothers; Dr. James and C.J. “Gus” Dusckas of Erie, two sisters; Angeline Yianoukos of Potsdam, NY, Caroline Constantikes of McAlester, OK, and a nephew John S. Dusckas of Millcreek Twp.  He is survived by his daughters: Ann Haller (David), Karen Martin (Jack), Sallie Capotis (Homer); one son, George J. Dusckas, Jr. (Gretchen), all of Erie, eleven grandchildren: Charla Hammel (Mike), Anna Haller, George Dusckas, III, Alexander Martin (Rachelle), Zachary Dusckas, M.D., Amanda Wawrzyniak (Andrew), Alexandra Pribonic (Anthony), Andrew Martin, Christopher Capotis, Ariadne Capotis, Georgia Capotis, nine great-grandchildren:  Michaela and Riley Hammel, Emma and Norah Yarosz, Alexander JohnDavid Martin, Jr., Sophia and Gary Wawrzyniak, Marina and Sloan Pribonic, and another great-granddaughter due in June, several nieces and nephews, and special nieces; Constance Dusckas of Clearwater, FL, Nancy Dusckas of Erie and special nephew, John Constantikes of Norman, OK.  Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Thursday, March 14, 2019 from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with the Trisagion Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Further visitation on Friday, March 15, 2019 from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 7:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home.  The Funeral Service will be held at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 West Lake Rd. on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Father Theofanis Nacopoulos. Interment Cambridge Springs Cemetery with full military honors followed by a traditional feast at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church. The family would like to thank the staffs of UPMC-Hamot, LECOM PT, and Sr. Living for the excellent care they provided Doc in his last few weeks. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, George J. Dusckas, MD Scholarship Fund, 4376 West Lake Rd., Erie, PA 16505. To send condolences visit www.dusckasmartinfuneralhome.com.