George Vernon Fantacci, 66, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital after a very brief illness.
The son of the late Peter Paul Fantacci, Jr. and Opal Louise Casteel Fantacci, George was born on Dec. 18, 1956, in Morgantown. He graduated from St. Francis Central Catholic High School in 1975. He attended West Virginia University and received his bachelor of science degree in business administration in 1980.
George worked for Consolidation Coal Company for 15 years as a supply manager until the two mines he helped manage were shut down. He then worked at Morgantown Printing & Binding until he was forced to retire in 2010 due to a stroke. He worked extremely hard to recover from this stroke, and his strength and perseverance helped him to become almost fully functional again.
George loved reading, watching television shows and movies, and listening to all types of music. He enjoyed learning about woodworking and spending time outdoors. He especially loved the beach, and he could spend hours sitting in his beach chair, reading a book, listening to the waves, or just watching the ocean. He was an avid fan of all sports, especially the WVU Mountaineers football and basketball teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Boutlou of Morgantown.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Patricia Ann Marhefka Fantacci; his two daughters, Christina Marie Fantacci and Maria Nicole Fantacci, both of Morgantown; and his beloved cat, Max. He is also survived by two sisters, Barbara Zealy and Jane (Patrick) Cyphert, all of Morgantown; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by two brothers, Roger Steven Fantacci and an infant brother.
George’s family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and clinical associates of J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, especially Dr. Elwin Tham and all those on 7 East, who took such excellent, kind, and compassionate care of George in what unexpectedly ended up being his final days.
Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home from 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22, until the time of the Scriptural Wake at 5 p.m. Visitation will continue at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church on Monday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with Msgr. Anthony Cincinnati, STD as celebrant. Burial rights will follow at Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at https://www.jdrf.org/donate/ or St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 1 Guthrie Lane, Morgantown, WV 26508.
Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
