Obituary for George Nicholas Bakun
MAPLEWOOD – George Nicholas Bakun, a life-long resident of Maplewood, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 3, 2020 at the age of 95.
Springtime interment services for George will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1 PM in St. Basil's Cemetery, Elm Street, Maplewood.
George was born in Maplewood on May 11, 1924 and was the son of the late Nicholas John and Catherine (Kate Petregal) Bakun. He was a graduate of Maplewood Grammar School and Watervliet High School. George was a World War II Army veteran and served our country in the Invasion of Normandy, on D-Day, landing at Utah Beach. He was drafted into the Army, soon after graduating from high school, along with his neighbor and life-long friend, Stephen “Iggy” Halabuda (now deceased) and together they served in the same company for the duration of the war. For his service George was awarded the American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Additionally, he received a plaque from French President Charles de Gaulle, thanking him for his service from the French nation. He was honorably discharged on January 29, 1946, with the rank of staff sergeant, and returned home to Maplewood.
George was employed at Spiak’s Meat and Grocery Market in Maplewood and later by Williams Press, Inc. in Menands. Ever the loyal and dedicated employee and co-worker, George once received an award from Williams Press for not missing a day of work in a one year period. He retired, as an office worker, from Matthew Bender & Company, Inc. in Menands after a long career.
George loved to work in his vegetable garden where he also grew beautiful flowers. He enjoyed foraging for mushrooms; fishing from a rowboat at Saratoga Lake and the horse races at Saratoga Springs. He was a devoted fan of the NY Yankees and enjoyed attending games at Yankee Stadium.
George was a member of St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, the Maplewood American Legion Post #1615 where he served as commander and the Watervliet “R” Club.
George was blessed, throughout his life, with many good and dear friends. Walter Babeyko, Carmen Torre, Bill Hoblock (cousin) and Andy Tarbay were all very good and special to George.
Heartfelt gratitude and forever thanks to Nakeia (Nikki) Salley and Kathryn “Kate” Tarbay for their love, time and caring for George. George loved everyone and everyone loved George.
George is survived by his sister and her husband, Rose (John ) Collins of Florida; nephews, Christopher Messitt and Andrew Spiak, Jr.; niece, Patricia Messitt; cousin, Dorothy (Carmen) Torre; godchildren, Paul Tarbay and Jane Petregal Haver and the members of the Dzubay, Petregal, Spiak, Rentz, Hoblock, Russell and Felix families. George was preceded in death by his wife, Anne (Spiak) Bakun; his brother, John Bakun; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Andrew, Paul, Peter, Evelyn and Christine .
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm at St. Basil's Cemetery, Elm Street, Maplewood with Rev. Peter Olsen of St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church officiating. The United States Army will be present to perform final military honors in honor of George's honorable service to our country.
Donations, in George’s memory, may be made to St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church, 6 Lansing Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 or the Maplewood Volunteer Fire Department, 61 Cohoes Road, Watervliet, NY 12189 .
Springtime interment services for George will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1 PM in St. Basil's Cemetery, Elm Street, Maplewood.
George was born in Maplewood on May 11, 1924 and was the son of the late Nicholas John and Catherine (Kate Petregal) Bakun. He was a graduate of Maplewood Grammar School and Watervliet High School. George was a World War II Army veteran and served our country in the Invasion of Normandy, on D-Day, landing at Utah Beach. He was drafted into the Army, soon after graduating from high school, along with his neighbor and life-long friend, Stephen “Iggy” Halabuda (now deceased) and together they served in the same company for the duration of the war. For his service George was awarded the American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Additionally, he received a plaque from French President Charles de Gaulle, thanking him for his service from the French nation. He was honorably discharged on January 29, 1946, with the rank of staff sergeant, and returned home to Maplewood.
George was employed at Spiak’s Meat and Grocery Market in Maplewood and later by Williams Press, Inc. in Menands. Ever the loyal and dedicated employee and co-worker, George once received an award from Williams Press for not missing a day of work in a one year period. He retired, as an office worker, from Matthew Bender & Company, Inc. in Menands after a long career.
George loved to work in his vegetable garden where he also grew beautiful flowers. He enjoyed foraging for mushrooms; fishing from a rowboat at Saratoga Lake and the horse races at Saratoga Springs. He was a devoted fan of the NY Yankees and enjoyed attending games at Yankee Stadium.
George was a member of St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church in Maplewood, the Maplewood American Legion Post #1615 where he served as commander and the Watervliet “R” Club.
George was blessed, throughout his life, with many good and dear friends. Walter Babeyko, Carmen Torre, Bill Hoblock (cousin) and Andy Tarbay were all very good and special to George.
Heartfelt gratitude and forever thanks to Nakeia (Nikki) Salley and Kathryn “Kate” Tarbay for their love, time and caring for George. George loved everyone and everyone loved George.
George is survived by his sister and her husband, Rose (John ) Collins of Florida; nephews, Christopher Messitt and Andrew Spiak, Jr.; niece, Patricia Messitt; cousin, Dorothy (Carmen) Torre; godchildren, Paul Tarbay and Jane Petregal Haver and the members of the Dzubay, Petregal, Spiak, Rentz, Hoblock, Russell and Felix families. George was preceded in death by his wife, Anne (Spiak) Bakun; his brother, John Bakun; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Andrew, Paul, Peter, Evelyn and Christine .
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Friday, May 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm at St. Basil's Cemetery, Elm Street, Maplewood with Rev. Peter Olsen of St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church officiating. The United States Army will be present to perform final military honors in honor of George's honorable service to our country.
Donations, in George’s memory, may be made to St. Basil’s Russian Orthodox Church, 6 Lansing Avenue, Watervliet, NY 12189 or the Maplewood Volunteer Fire Department, 61 Cohoes Road, Watervliet, NY 12189 .