Date of death: 6/9/2021
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1960
George Peter Samarzija, age 87, of Schererville, died peacefully while holding the hands of his wife and daughters on June 9th, 2021, at home. As one final act of selflessness, George passed away the day before his 60th wedding anniversary.
George was born on June 29th, 1934, in Gary, Indiana to Mary Slunski Samarzija and George Samarzija. He graduated high school from Our Lady of Lake in Lake Wawasee, Indiana. He went on to become a graduate of Saint Meinard Seminary in Rockport, Indiana and fortunately for his daughters’ sake, he decided not to become a priest. He also attended DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, to pursue a Master of Science in Biology.
He worked as an Expeditor at United States Steel Corporation for 43 years and retired in 1999. Prior to that, he served in the Army in the late 1950’s. He was a member of Serra Club, the Croation Catholic Union, & the American Legion.
George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary Samarzija; his brothers, John (Martha) Samarzija, Jack (Marie) Samar, and his sister, Ann (Mike) Kepchar, and many loving nieces & nephews.
He is survived by his wife, Julie (Harlow) Samarzija; his daughters Nicole (Pete) Floody, Leigh (Ray) Sierra, his grandchildren: Jacob & Lizzie Floody, and Talia (fiancé Dylan Bradley), Nick, & Alexandria Sierra. He is also survived by many loving sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and caretakers.