George Michael Latsko

George Michael Latsko, 89, of Middletown, Delaware, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

The eldest of eight siblings (and, astonishingly, 72 first cousins), George was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania on March 13, 1936 to parents George and Jane Frances (Cunningham). He graduated New Castle High School where he played football. Following Horace Greely’s advice to “go west,” he and some friends hitchhiked to California. Following his return to the east, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served abroad in Germany during peacetime. After returning from service, he and Claudette Fantone married in 1961 following a near-disastrous first date and settled in Ellwood City then New Castle, PA. With their two young sons, the couple moved to Roanoke, Virginia in 1966 where George embarked on a career with Creative Packaging and Elizabeth Arden, divisions of Eli Lilly & Co. A year later, daughter Susan was born, making a happy family of five.  While working, George completed his bachelor’s in business administration degree at Roanoke College, a proud achievement celebrated by his family and many friends.

After 23 years, George and Claudette left Roanoke for a stint in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before taking up residence in Hamilton, New Jersey where George retired from Aris-Isotoner, a division of Sara Lee Corp. Following Claudette’s retirement, the couple moved in 2004 to the Springmill community in Middletown, DE where they enjoyed making new friends, joined a new church community (St. Joseph’s), and continued to travel the world. George was proud to have visited all 50 states (including a famous “trains, planes, (rafts) and automobiles (a Jeep)” trip to Alaska) where he ultimately met all 72 of his cousins. He rarely missed watching a Pittsburgh Steelers football game, his grandson play baseball, taking daily walks, or completing Sudoku puzzles.

George’s wife of 55 years, Claudette, predeceased him in 2016. He is survived by his three children: Michael (Cesar Dcroz) of Charlottesville, Virginia; Marc (Miranda Scott) of Round Hill, Virginia and Silver Spring, Maryland; and Susan (Tom McParland) of Hamilton, New Jersey, parents of his three grandchildren Claudia, Julia and Tommy. His memory will be cherished by his surviving brothers Paul, Jerry, and John, and sisters Jane Anne Caruso and Mary Louise Cañas and their families, as well as many cousins and friends.

George and Claudette were long-time members of St. Andrew’s Church (now Basilica) in Roanoke, VA; St. Joseph’s Parish, Middletown, DE; the Lion’s Club and many groups at Springmill. George was the long-time financial secretary of the Knights of Columbus and coordinator of homebound eucharistic ministries for St. Joseph’s, St. Rose of Lima Mission, and Cadia Rehabilitation Broadmeadow in Middletown.

The family wishes to thank the many, many friends who sent cards and texts, who made phone calls and visited. Special thanks to the team at Accent Care Hospice.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 pm until 7 pm on Friday evening, July 11, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 275 E. Main Street, Middletown, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 am on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 319 E. Main St., Middletown, DE. Interment will be held privately.

Donations may be made in George’s memory to St. Joseph’s Parish, 371 E. Main St., Middletown, DE 19709 or online by clicking here; or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online by clicking here.