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George P. Tortorelli
02/28/1926 — 12/09/2015
From Richland, WA | Born in Spokane, WA
George P. Tortorelli
George P. Tortorelli
George P. Tortorelli, 89, passed away December 9, 2015 at his home in Richland. He was born on February 28, 1926 in Spokane, Washington to Pietrangelo and Vincenzo Tortorelli. He was the youngest of 12 children: Pete, Dominic, John, Chuck, Rudy, Mary, Katie, Josephine, Rosie, Carly and Louise. He grew up in Spokane. Immediately upon graduation from John Rogers High School in 1944, George enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII. After returning to Spokane, he married Betty Jane Clark in 1947, and their 2 children: Georgia and Mark were born there.
The family moved to the Tri-Cities in 1961 and George worked
at the Hanford Site as an electrician until he retired in 1988. George loved to
fish and hunt, especially with his son, Mark. He was a good friend to many, a
wonderful father and grandparent.
George is preceded in death by all his brothers and sisters and a grandson, Richard Abken.He is survived by his children: Georgia (Greg) Stephens and Mark (Sue) Tortorelli; his grandchildren: Shannon (Gary) Rowland, Sheila (Michael) Meredith, Sherry Desrosier, Carly Tortorelli, and Dean Tortorelli; his great-grandchildren: Michael (Natalie) Abken, Alexis (Kevin) Barthman, Joshua Abken, Seth Meredith, Elizabeth Desrosier, and Sophia Desrosier; great-great grandchildren: Alyssa Derryberry, Isaac Barthman and many nieces and nephews.
To all of George’s family, am so sorry to find out about your Dad and granddad. He was so beloved, I myself knew him from the days I would see him at McDonald’s catching his ride to work, later after his retirement I probably had a 1000 cups of coffee with him at McDonald’s each of us complaining how we did not care for the coffee but still drank it! Also visited him several times with a glass of wine or beer at his little place. The past few years we lost track of each other, as we both gave up our McDonald’s coffee routine and he left his little place. I loved that guy and have a picture of him on my office wall, that is how I remember George.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. George was such a good man and wonderful friend. He will be missed.
I had the pleasure of getting to know George as a wonderful human being while working at Hanford. Even though I was Operations and George was Maintenance, I knew that If George was on my job, we could get the job done and have a good experience from it. I enjoyed his company and talks we had. This continued after he retired when I would see him at McDonalds by where he lived. Every time we talked, he left a great feeling in me. I will miss him. I respectfully consider George my friend and honored to have known him.
Sincerely, your co-worker,
Rich Gutierrez
George and I carpooled to Hanford and played handball and fished at our pleasure. In both areas, if you were patient enough and quiet, at some point George might let some of his inner self slide out. It wasn’t always what you wanted to hear…..nor was it all deadly serious. He never got excited or angry when the rest of us were in some political frenzy. His solution was always: “It just doesn’t matter who’s in control.”
He was a lovely man and we have some great memories of him. Carl and Lynda Meyers
To all of George’s family, am so sorry to find out about your Dad and granddad. He was so beloved, I myself knew him from the days I would see him at McDonald’s catching his ride to work, later after his retirement I probably had a 1000 cups of coffee with him at McDonald’s each of us complaining how we did not care for the coffee but still drank it! Also visited him several times with a glass of wine or beer at his little place. The past few years we lost track of each other, as we both gave up our McDonald’s coffee routine and he left his little place. I loved that guy and have a picture of him on my office wall, that is how I remember George.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. George was such a good man and wonderful friend. He will be missed.
I had the pleasure of getting to know George as a wonderful human being while working at Hanford. Even though I was Operations and George was Maintenance, I knew that If George was on my job, we could get the job done and have a good experience from it. I enjoyed his company and talks we had. This continued after he retired when I would see him at McDonalds by where he lived. Every time we talked, he left a great feeling in me. I will miss him. I respectfully consider George my friend and honored to have known him.
Sincerely, your co-worker,
Rich Gutierrez
George and I carpooled to Hanford and played handball and fished at our pleasure. In both areas, if you were patient enough and quiet, at some point George might let some of his inner self slide out. It wasn’t always what you wanted to hear…..nor was it all deadly serious. He never got excited or angry when the rest of us were in some political frenzy. His solution was always: “It just doesn’t matter who’s in control.”
He was a lovely man and we have some great memories of him. Carl and Lynda Meyers
Guestbook for
George P. Tortorelli