George Konicki 1929-2020

UPDATED OBITUARY

RELATIVES AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND GEORGE'S MEMORIAL GATHERING

NOVEMBER 6, 2021.

10:30AM TO 11:00AM ST. TIMOTHY CHURCH 3001 LEVICK ST PHILA. PA., 19149. A MEMORIAL MASS TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE WILL BE HELD AT 11:00AM.

He passed on to a better place on May 22, 2020 in his 91 ^st year of life. George Konicki was born on July 19, 1929 to Thaddeus and Bertha (nee Gryszka) Konicki in Philadelphia where he lived his whole life. He spent many years of his youth in Bridesburg where he attended All Saints R.C. Grade School and Northeast Catholic High School, graduating in 1947.

George found his first job after high school as a histology technician at Wyeth Institute until the Korean War started and he decided to enlist in the Air Force in January 1951. He was stationed at the Patrick Air Force Base in Cocoa Beach, FL where he was assigned to the 1 ^st Pilotless Bomber Squadron. George spent the 1 ^st year in training in electronics and missile guidance and control. He was part of a team that developed the Matador missile in Florida for use during the Korean War. A truce was signed to end all fighting as they were preparing to transfer the missiles to Korea. George was discharged from the Air Force in November 1954 and came home to his girlfriend, Rosemary Murphy.

George married Rosemary on June 11, 1955 and set up house in Wissinoming. They eventually moved into their home in Tacony where George and Rosemary lived for the rest of their lives.  During this time they raised four children: Thaddeus (Kathleen), Gregory (Theresa), Susanne (Patrick McMahon), and Elaine (Ralph Schneeman). Today, their family continues to grow through births, adoptions and family blending. They are blessed with 10 grandchildren, Monica, Thad, Annie, Liz, Kelly, Maryellen, Elizabeth, Joe, Jackie, and Kelly and 10 great-grandchildren, Hannah, Nate, Amelia, Oliver, Brooklyn, Carter, Paige, Nick, Michael, and Tripp.

George is predeceased by two brothers and two sisters: Edward (Irene), Leonard (Cecelia – still living), Adele (Skip) Strybuc, and Mildred (Sister Mauritia, Sisters of St. Francis).

After George left the Air Force, he worked at General Electric for a short time as a technician in a life support program and spent many years at the Pennrose Research Laboratory at the Philadelphia Zoo as the chief histology technician.  While working at the Zoo, he decided to take his interest in science to the next level and began part-time studies at Lasalle College where he earned a B.A. in Biology in 1965.

In 1968, after working at his favorite place, the Zoo, for 12 years, George moved to Smith, Kline, and French Laboratories (now, GlaxoSmithKline) as a Senior Medicinal Chemist where he did research in drug metabolism. While most of his career was spent performing research projects in the lab, George did lead an effort to stand up a centralized computer system for the management of the Company's records amassed on their various drugs. At the time he was the manager of Adverse Drug Experience Data Systems.

When George was in his mid-50s, an event occurred that changed his life forever. He was stricken with a severe heart attack that the doctors did not believe he would survive. He worked hard on recovery and eventually went back to work for a few years. Even four years later his personal doctors and the Company doctors were worried about his longevity. His managers offered George a very generous early retirement package because they did not believe that he would last past the age of 65.  They told him to go home and enjoy the rest of his time on earth.

So, thirty years later, if you happen to be the first to call him on the phone in the morning, George will laugh and say "I am still alive. I beat the statisticians again". Followed by "they probably regret that they gave me such cheap medical insurance for life."

So, George did retire early and worked on keeping himself healthy and becoming the trusted patriarch of his family. If you were in a tough situation or facing an important decision, you always called George and he would provide help, advice, and support as best as he could.  Even if he did not agree with your decisions, he always concluded that you have to live your life your way.  George also became the go-to person for nieces and nephews, in-laws and friends, and his brothers and sisters.

George never wanted to be the center of attention, but he did offer his opinion if asked. He was not a flashy individual, but he was always well dressed. And, he did get noticed.  Sometimes, when he would go out to lunch or dinner by himself, he would get his meals paid for by anonymous patrons. George drew people to him simply by showing respect to, listening to, and giving the benefit of the doubt to anyone he met.

George never talked much about playing sports, but he did participate in intramural football on the beaches of Florida while in the service and he was an avid weightlifter in the service and after. He has always been a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles.

George did have an interest in music. There is evidence that he played the drums when he was young, and he has claimed in the past that he was part of a garage band. He also was a member of St. Timothy R.C. Church men's choir for many years.  And, George and Rosemary were regular season ticketholders to see the Philly Pops at the Academy of Music.

Thirteen years ago, his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer and spent a year going through treatments and finally, home hospice.  George took care of Rosemary from beginning to end listening to and questioning the doctors, escorting her to treatments and managing her daily ups and downs the only way he knew how by paying attention to the details as any scientist would. In the end, George was angry that this had happened to his wife and more could not be done.  For the last 12 years, all that George has wanted is to be with Rosemary. So, during the night on Friday, he passed quietly in his sleep and is now at peace with her.

The best way to sum up George's life is to repeat here what one of his grandchildren wrote on Facebook to announce his passing: "My family lost an amazing person today, my Grandfather George Konicki. He died peacefully in his sleep which is what he wanted. To me he was not only my pop pop but my friend, protector, and my biggest cheerleader. He was kind, generous and someone I admired my whole life. I will miss him SO much…"  He left the same impression on many people throughout his life.