George W. Marshall passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. He was born May 17, 1943, the second son of James and June Marshall, of Weirton. George graduated from Follansbee High School in 1961 and attended West Virginia University as a member of Air Force ROTC, graduating in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics. While at WVU he met the love of his life, Rose (Petitto). They married Aug. 21, 1965, and began a 56-year adventure that took them around the world.
George was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and spent eight years navigating C-130s first in a Tactical Airlift Command Wing and then with the Blackbirds, part of the Air Force Special Operations Command. He served two tours in Vietnam, first at Cam Ranh Air Force Base and later in Nha Trang Air Base; the Blackbirds mission was to insert and supply covert reconnaissance teams deep into Vietnam.
The U.S. Air Force sent George (and Rose) around the United States before sending them to Germany for four years. Their time was split between Rhein-Main Air Force Base and Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany. George’s Air Force years provided the setting for many of his stories and amazing accounts of his life and experiences; George’s stories were and still are family favorites.
In 1975, George earned a Master of Arts in international relations from Troy State University. He left the U.S. Air Force as a captain, returning with his family to Morgantown, to join his father-in-law and brothers-in-law to build Petitto Mine Equipment Inc. Between 1975 and his partial retirement in 2017, George helped to build Petitto Mine Equipment into a successful international business serving the coal industry through manufacturing heavy duty, crawler track mounted longwall move equipment. The Petitto Mule and its successors are used in 90% of all longwall mines in the U. S. and Australia and can be found in mines around the world. Petitto Mine Equipment has been recognized for Excellence in Exporting (1996), WV Exporter of the Year (2000 and 2009), Monongalia County Employer of the Year (2002), and Region II Exporter of the Year (2009). Their expertise is found in a diverse range of manufacturing and repair work, including ornamental benches and waste receptacles, including some of those in
downtown Morgantown.
George served on the boards of West Virginia National Auto Insurance Company and the Region VI Workforce Investment Board. He was active in the Virginia Seniors Golf Association and was a longtime member of Lakeview, the Pines and Pete Dye Golf Clubs. After his family, golf was George’s primary love. He played as long as the weather allowed, daily if possible. He golfed on most of “the” courses in the U.S. and several abroad, including St. Andrew’s in Scotland.
George was a presence. He was the entertainer and life of every gathering. He loved a good meal, a great bottle of wine and a stiff Manhattan. He was a generous man who was dearly loved by family and friends alike.
George was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Robbins; a brother, James R. Marshall Jr.; a brother-in-law, Angelo A. Petitto; his parents, James and June Marshall; and parents-in-law, Angelo and Carolyn Petitto.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Rose V. Marshall; a brother, Robert Marshall; brother and sister-in-law, James and Carol Petitto; a son, Jeffrey Marshall (Sommee Kang); daughter, Julie Harris (Rick); and son-in-law, Jason Robbins. He leaves grandchildren: Alec Harris, Eliza Robertson, Lydia Marshall, Maxwell Robertson, Anna Robbins, Vera Marshall, Kate Robbins and James Robbins. George will be remembered by his nieces and nephews, Sharon Marshall, Diana Criscillo, Lori Daniels, Andrew Marshall, Michael Petitto, Alex Marshall and Brian Petitto, along with countless friends and family members.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with providing cremation services.
The family will receive friends and family at Hasting Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10. A committal service with full military rites will be held at St. Mary Peace Garden Mausoleum at 3346 University Ave., Star City, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec 11.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to On Eagles Wings (371 Opekiska Ridge Road, Fairmont, WV 26554), St. Ursula’s Food Pantry (P.O. Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26546), or a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Alan Hess, Dr. David Hall, WVU Home Health, WVU Hospice and Right at Home for their loving care of George.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
