George Zedlar, Jr.

George Zedlar, Jr, 89, passed away on June 19, 2023, in Hollister, CA. He was born in Johnstown, PA, on March 11,1934 to beloved parents George Sr. and Veronica Zedlar. George graduated from Johnstown Catholic High School in 1953, where he excelled as the point guard on the varsity basketball team.

George was one of five siblings along with older sister Helen and younger brothers Milton, Richard, and Ray.

Our Dad served as a proud veteran of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany in the late 1950's. He made great friends that lasted his entire life.

Shortly thereafter, George moved to California, settling in the bay area where he married Carolyn Joan Miller in 1961. They had two sons: Jeffrey in 1962, and Gregory in 1966.

He taught them the importance of activity through competitive sports, especially baseball and basketball and created original and enchanting games from his boundless imagination.

George relocated to Southern California in 1970 to rejoin his two boys. "My boys," he called them. He took them to yearly family reunions called ‘Serbian Christmas’ every January to reunite with cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends, and showed them around the restaurants he worked at and/or owned, specifically the Robin Hood Inn, a steakhouse located in Glendale, CA, from 1977 to 1983.

George was blessed with four grandchildren he treasured: Veronica in 1994, Jake in 1998, Chris in 1999 and Lauren in 2000. He spent precious time with them all, faithfully attending their games and events, and taught them how to find magic in the little things, especially the workbench full of wondrous little treasures and nick-nacks he had in his garage which was akin to Santa’s workshop.

George discovered in 2019 through Ancestry.com that he actually had a 5th grandchild, Heather, along with great-grandchildren Ryleigh, Kara and Taryn who all live in New Jersey.

In 2003 George reunited with a longtime friend, Shirley Crescini, & soon thereafter they began a new life together. They were companions & soul mates sharing life & living for the last 20+ years. They were inseparable partners in Burbank & then Palm Desert with the last two years in Hollister, CA. Every Christmas they would create a 'North Pole' village in their front yard full of lights & wonder, and yet it was the spirit which symbolized their relationship.

George is survived by Shirley, sons Jeff & Greg and their wives Maryellen & Lisa & grandchildren Veronica, Jake, Christopher, Lauren & Heather. He is also survived by three great grandchildren, Ryleigh, Kara, and Taryn. He is also survived by brothers Milton & Ray & their wives Marsha & Joan, sister-in-law Diane, widow of his brother Richard, his ex-wife Carolyn, as well as many nieces & nephews and many lifelong friends, too numerous to mention.

George Zedlar, Jr. was and is eternally irreplaceable, decent to the core, gentle by nature, and sought peaceful resolution by instinct. He was safe to all who shook his hand, but also strong when needed. There was nothing better than going to his house on the weekends. His infinite love is part of us all now and forever, and no one who ever knew him will know better.

His spirit is free to explore the stars now and the boundaries of heaven. His smile will be widely known in a place none return from, and yet are so joyous to be.

Goodbye, Dad.

We Love You, and we know how much you love all of us.

Eternity is yours now, and we will see you again.

You never broke a promise.