George D. Terembes

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our father, George David Terembes, who died on Friday, January 10th. Dad was born on March 18, 1935, at his family home in the small coal mining town of Pitt Gas, Pennsylvania, to his proud Ukrainian immigrant parents, Paul and Mary (Kozub) Terembes. While growing up in southwestern Pennsylvania, Dad enjoyed many adventures with his siblings and dear friends. Odd jobs, fishing, swimming in the Ten Mile Creek, and playing on the iconic swinging bridge were the basis of many family legends still resonating today. Young George, however, maintained a serious and responsible side that framed his life.

While an honor student at Jefferson High School, Dad began breaking records in his chosen sports of football, wrestling, and track. These accomplishments earned him a scholarship to Clemson University which he dutifully declined to stay close to home and help his mother and younger siblings after the untimely death of his father. With the help of his coaches, Dad secured a scholarship close to home at Waynesburg College (now University) in Waynesburg, PA, where he excelled in football, wrestling, and romance, after meeting our mother at an intramural volleyball game.

After graduation, our parents married and moved to Canton, Ohio, where Dad accepted a teaching position and became wrestling coach at McKinley High School in 1958. Dad maintained his Bulldog Pride throughout his life and left his mark on many of his students and wrestlers who regarded him as a father-figure in their lives. This was most evident when Dad was enshrined into the Stark County High School Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1998. Many of his wrestlers from near and far gathered for a most celebratory time that was a highlight of Dad's life.

Dad's retirement years were filled with daily workouts, membership in the Hall of Fame Luncheon Club, gardening, and selling tickets to the ball games at the former Fawcett Stadium, Memorial Field House, and the Canton Civic Center, as well as ushering at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Games and Enshrinements. His finest role, however, was Grandpa! Dad's "inner coach" could not be contained whenever he attended any event in which his grandchildren participated. He was, to all of us, a good and faithful servant.

In addition to his parents, Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years, Margaret (Schroll) Terembes, three brothers, Paul, Charles, and John, and his sisters, Margaret, Anne, Helen, Elizabeth, Eleanor, Arlene, and Ethel. Dad is survived by his biggest fans, daughter Karen (John) McCarthy, and grandsons Alex (Keeron Ghose) McCarthy and Ryan McCarthy, Esq.; daughter Mary Lee (Brett) Rippl, granddaughter Katherine (Allen) Dukes, grandson Matthew (Jessica) Rippl, and three great-grandsons. Special thanks to the staff at Canton Christian Home for their wonderful care for our father, to our cousins Paul and Marty McClendon and Michelle Drocton for their many calls and visits to Dad that meant so much to us, to family friends Paul and Debby Stipkovich, and Miss Marjorie Burkhart who were loyal to the end, and to my mother-in-law, Eileen McCarthy, who walked beside us throughout this long journey.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Friday, January 17, 2025, at 11:00 am, St. Peter Catholic Church, 726 Cleveland Avenue, NW, Canton. Father David Misbrener presiding. Visitation for family and friends will be held Friday, January 17, 2025, from 9:00 to 10:30 am, Lamiell Funeral Home, 1353 Cleveland Avenue, NW, Canton. Interment will take place at Calvary Cemetery, Massillon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dad's favorite charity, The Samaritan's Table at the Basilica of St. John, 627 McKinley Avenue NW, Canton, OH 44703. During this tender time for the family, please visit www.lamiellfuneralhome.com to share prayers, fond memories, and expressions of sympathy.