George Jay Robert Babyak

George Jay Robert Babyak was born on April 22,1940 in Carmichaels, PA to George and Anna Babyak. He attended Central Elementary school and Cumberland Township High school in Carmichaels where he graduated in 1958. In his year book, Bob wrote:”I remember not having to ride the school bus, walking home for lunch then walking back to school with the girls. Sure beat the bus”.

Bob left PA when he was 18 and went to Florida where he worked various jobs for two years before going to St. Petersburg Junior College. He left Florida for University of Mississippi in 1962. His major was finance and graduated with his BA in 1965.

As it was the draft at that time, Bob enlisted in the Army in 1965. Basic training at Ft. Jackson South Carolina, then to Ft. Benning , GA for Officers Training School. He was stationed at Ft. Dix, NJ before deployment to Viet Nam in 1967. Bob was a 1LT in the 1st Infantry Division, The Big Red 1.

He was deployed from Oakland, CA where he met his future wife, Claudette Delabriandais in 1967.

Bob’s tour of duty was for one year in the LaiKai area. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor, Air Medal for valor, National Defense Service Ribbon, Combat Infantry Badge, Viet Nam Service medal, Viet Nam Campaign medal and US Parachutists Wings.

In 1968, Bob was honorable discharged from the .army and he moved to NY where he worked for AllState Insurance. Claudette and Bob married in 1971 in CA where Claudette was an Infection Control nurse in Hayward.

They lived in NY until 1973 when they moved back to CA. Bob worked for Consolidated Freightways for 21 years then for J I Case for 5 years when he retired at age 49.

The Babyak’s moved to Pine Mountain Lake by Yosemite National Park where they lived for 21 years. Bob truly live his home. Played gold four times a week, loved cards, friends, travel and the beautiful mountains.

When his health started to decline, they moved to Sun City, Palm Desert in 2011. Bob enjoyed golf and the fitness center and pool. He died at home February 21,2023.

Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Palm Desert on Wednesday, April 12 at 11AM.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tridentsociety.com/location/palm-desert-ca for the Babyak family.