Reverend Deacon George M. Fatula, Sr., MD (age 77)

[Pompeii]

Reverend Deacon George M. Fatula, Sr., MD, 77, of DuBois, PA passed away on October 28, 2022, at Penn Highlands DuBois.
 

Born on February 17, 1945, in McKeesport, PA, he was the son of the late George and Ann Fatula.

George was married to Renetta Bertugli on August 22, 1970, in Duquesne, PA.  She preceded him in death by 6 days on October 22, 2022.

George graduated from Duquesne High School in 1963.  He attended Washington and Jefferson College and graduated in 1967 with a degree in Chemistry.  He received his medical degree in 1971 from the University of Pittsburgh.  He completed his residency from 1972-74 at Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh specializing in pediatric and adolescent medicine.

In 1971 George was commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the United States Army.  His duty was deferred through his residency training.  In 1974, as he was about to be activated, he was issued an inactive ready status as he accepted the position to serve the community of DuBois.  He was honorably discharged in 1977 as a Captain.

In 1974 he was recruited by the DuBois and Maple Avenue Hospitals to be the first pediatrician in DuBois.  He opened his first office on July 22, 1974, at the Deposit Bank Building.  He is credited with forming the pediatric unit at the DuBois Hospital and was instrumental in organizing the area’s first neonatal intensive care unit at the Maple Avenue Hospital with his associate Dr. Donald Orris. His practice expanded from DuBois to also include the Punxsutawney and Brookville areas.  One of his many career highlights was being awarded the 2006 “Pediatrician of the Year” from the American Academy of Pediatrics Pennsylvania Chapter.  George continued to practice until September 2018 when his health forced his retirement.

George was ordained to the Diaconate on July 13, 2003, by the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.  His ordination was a culmination of his devotion to his religious life.  George was a member of the Nativity of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church in DuBois.  He and his wife were lifelong catechists.  George was also best known as a bingo caller at the weekly Nativity Bingo for over 35 years.   In 1984 George was awarded the St. Nicholas Award as the “Byzantine Catholic Man of the Year”.

George was a sports enthusiast.  This was evident by his many endeavors as a parent, coach, and team doctor.  George enjoyed watching and coaching his children and grandchildren through the years.  George was the last manager in DuBois Little League history to lead a Little League (12-year-olds) Baseball team to a state championship in 1991.  He spent decades providing his physician services to the DuBois Area School District on the sidelines at football games, mat side at the wrestling matches, and providing sports physicals.   He personally enjoyed his bowling, golf, and hunting.

Community service and charity were extremely important to George.  He started young and worked to earn his Eagle Scout Award.  This led to a lifetime of service with the Bucktail Council of the Boy Scouts of America.  He earned several awards for this service.  He was a member of the DuBois Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus in his current position as Chaplain.  He and his wife were known for their charity and supported many organizations including Make a Wish and the Rotary Club. His support of the Rotary Club earned him a Paul Harris Fellow award.  The DuBois Area Jaycees honored George for his years of service in the area with the “Distinguished Service Award” in 2008.

George leaves behind 5 children: George, Jr. (Amy) Fatula of DuBois, Renetta Morelli (Neil Keilen) of Frederick, MD, Edward (Angela) Fatula of Ellicott City, MD, Daniel (Crystal) Fatula of DuBois, and Tara (Matthew) McNally of Durham, NC;  9 grandchildren: Kayla (Brandon) Small, Laura Fatula, Keith Fatula, Margaret Fatula, Alexander Fatula, Maya Fatula, Benjamin Fatula, Andrew McNally, and Ryan McNally; a sister, Barbara (Gerald) Longstreth; sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Barry) Mylan and Emilia Bertugli; and a brother-in-law Christopher (Margie) Bertugli.

George was preceded in death by his in-laws, Remo E. and Margaret Bertugli and a brother-in-law Remo C. Bertugli.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 from 1:30-4 & 5:30 -8 p.m. at the Baronick Funeral Home & Crematorium, Inc.

A Parastas will be prayed on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.

A Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at 11 a.m. from the Nativity of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church with Most Reverend Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla as celebrant.

Burial will follow in St. Michael’s Cemetery in DuBois.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Nativity of the Mother of God Church, 200 McCullough St, DuBois, PA  15801, the Make A Wish Foundation, 219 W. Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney, PA 15767, or the DuBois Little League, P.O. Box 71, DuBois, PA  15801.