George’s Obituary George A. Kurisky was born on July 9, 1937. He was surrounded by his loving family in his last days and passed away on February 12, 2019. George was born in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania.
He was the eldest son of George and Anna Kurisky. We know that he was driven by values of hard work and dedication to both principle and result. He had an abiding love of physical activity including tennis, working out, biking, and gardening.
He graduated from Kingston High School in 1955, and attended Drexel University in Philadelphia, where he earned his degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He also served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and received a degree in industrial organization and management from Johns Hopkins University. He met his beloved wife, the former JoAnn Shergalis at a church picnic.
They dated throughout his time at Drexel, during which time he co-op”d at Armco Steel Corp. in Baltimore. JoAnn and George were married on September 29, 1962, in Wilkes Barre, PA.
Afterwards, they settled in Baltimore and then, moved to Lutherville, MD, where they began their family. They subsequently relocated to Phoenix, Maryland where George and JoAnn raised their children and lived until the time of his passing. George and JoAnn’s family grew as their children married and had families of their own.
Paul and Jennifer Kurisky (Leola, PA) were married in 1990; Karen and Jason Hardebeck (Phoenix, MD) in 1990 and George and Kay Kurisky (Houston, TX) in 1993. George’s life was marked by family first, hard work, a job well done and valued his many friendships. On his 80th birthday, he imparted to his six grandchildren his secret to a happy life to “never hold a grudge”.
George was a supportive and participatory father in the lives of his three children, in both academics and whatever activities they chose, whether tennis, swimming, dance, or scouting. His patience with his children was well known and acknowledged and his support was unyielding and unwavering. “Pop” loved nothing better than being surrounded by his six grandchildren: Haley and Holly Kurisky, Kaitlyn and Emily Kurisky, and Nick and Ally Hardebeck.
Family tradition highlights were Christmas at Grandma and Pop’s house, annual Delaware beach vacations, and warm weather island trips. All beach excursions included time on the water, but also biking and lots of time at the tennis and fitness centers. George’s physical fitness and dedication to both tennis and physical activity were renowned among both his teammates and opponents.
He never saw a dessert that he did not enjoy, and he looked forward to the work out that followed to burn it off. George’s professional life was spent in the stainless steel industry. One of a dying breed, he worked for Maryland Specialty Wire or its affiliates, starting in the mill, and concluding in the front office, for 40 years.
He “retired” from MSW at which point he maintained a very active consulting practice in the stainless steel wire industry. His engagements also included frequent work with Zapp Precision Wire, Inc. A tennis fanatic through out his adult life, he was a tennis partner, team captain, teacher, mentor, supporter, fan, and organizer to his friends, family, colleagues, and teammates. With his sons, he attended Wimbledon, the French Open, the Masters, the US Clay Courts and made multiple trips, including September, 2019, to the U.S. Open.
As the organizer also known as “the herder of cats” and scheduler to his tennis teams and buddies, he was frequently joined on U.S. Open trips via bus by his teammates and friends. He was honored by his tennis friends and colleagues with the naming of “Kurisky Court” at Hunt Valley Golf and Country Club. He was previously a long time member of Hillendale Country Club, and was both a Men’s Singles champion, as well as repeat Men’s Doubles champion, with his longtime partner, Dr. Rafael Hernandez.
George is survived by JoAnn, his wife of 56+ years, two sons, daughter, and six grandchildren. The family would like to thank the many friends and immediate family members, with special recognition to the staff at Stella Maris Hospice for their loving care and devotion, all who supported George, JoAnn, and his family during his illness. A visitation of friends will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Ruck Funeral Home, Inc., located at 1050 York Rd, Towson, MD, 21204, from 10 am -12 pm and 2-4 pm.
Services private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s name and memory may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation in Washington, DC or the Johns Hopkins Melanoma Program (The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center).
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
