George David Pugile

February 15, 1926 - November 12, 2013
George David Pugile

George D. Pugile, 87, of Hendersonville died Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at Pardee Memorial Hospital.

Born in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of the late Charles and Mary Catherine Kolesar Pugile. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Patricia Morrissey Pugile, and his brother, Charles Pugile, Jr.

Mr. Pugile graduated from Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, CT. He was a World War II veteran and an Iwo Jima survivor. George served his country in the US Navy beginning in 1944, when he landed on the USS Hinsdale APA-120, a troop transport and part of a core of American amphibious forces in the Pacific Conflict. After traveling to Maui to load up troops for the invasion of Iwo Jima and supporting the Marines there, he traveled to Guam and Saipan. After the war, he served with the Merchant Marines. For 45 years, Mr. Pugile worked for United Illuminating Company as a supervisor, retiring in 1993. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Brevard.

He will be greatly missed by Margaret Bukky and her family.

A funeral service with Military Honors will be held at 2 PM Friday, November 15, 2013 in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. Father Andrew Nowak will officiate. Burial will be at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.


Service

Friday, November 15, 2013
12:00 AM

Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home - Directions
125 Orrs Camp Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792

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  • November 14, 2013
    Roger and Francine Varady says:
    We met George at the Prostate Cancer Support Group. He attended monthly for years...and was always first through the door! This gave us a chance to cht and get to know him. George was a lovely man. we are so sorry to hear of his passing and wish Margaret and his family comforting prayers. Roger and Francine Varady

  • November 15, 2013
    Bill McNichols says:
    George was my shipmate on the U.S.S. Hinsdale APA 120. We survived the invasion of Iwo Jima and witnessed the Iconic flag raising on Mt.Suribachi.We survived a kamakazi attack at Okinawa. this made us a band of brothers that met in reunion yearly and forged long lasting friendships George was a catalyst for the crew,much loved and greatly missed.

  • November 15, 2013
    Lane Kunath says:
    We o0f the USS HINSDALE will miss George so much. He was always UP and showed this all the time. Wehad 24 reunions and he drove to them in his trusty Subaru, even to California. Before he retired, he checked places to find the right one. He came to Spencer, Iowa in the winter and visisted us. He left the next morning as we had a light accumulation of snow and ice overnight. Needless to say, North Carolina won out. Rest in peace, George. Until we sail together again.

  • November 16, 2013
    JOE PORTILLO says:
    WELL , IT LOOKS LIKE WE'VE LOST ANOTHER OF MY BUDDIES WHO LANDED ON THAT UGLY ISLAND OF IWO JIMA THAT MORNING "SO LONG" AGO . IT WAS 2-19-1945 . AT 9;A.M.! ALSO WE'VE LOST JIM HUGHES LAST OCT. ON THE NINETEENTH . WE , ARE RUNNING OUT OF SURVIVORS OF THAT MORNING ! AS FAR AS I KNOW , WE HAVE ONE MORE IN ST. LOUIS . I HOPE HE'S STILL KICKING . I MISS GEORGE AND JIM VERY MUCH . I HARDLY REMEMBER THEM FROM OUR DAYS BACK THEN , BUT AFTER MEETING THEM ON OUR REUNIONS , I HAVE GROWN TO LOVE THEM ALL . I "HATE" TO BE ONE OF THE "LAST OF THE BEACH PARTY" , BUT , I GUESS I HAVE TO CARRY ON ! IT'S SO SAD TO SEE THESE "YOUNG BOYS" THE WAY WE WERE ,AND NOW GOING OUR TO OUR FINAL RESTING PLACE . I'LL PROBABLY SEE THEM "SOON" ! I'm always in contact with Lane , who lives in Spencer , IA. He's another of my Shipmates , JOSE A. PORTILLO (portholejoe) (member of navy amphibious battalion) USS Hinsdale APA 120 . KEEP THANKING "ALL" THE VETS , NO MATTER HOW "YOUNG" THEY ARE , "TODAY" !

  • December 01, 2013
    Richard and Susan Rooney says:
    We are so sorry to hear about your passing...George, you were a wonderful person and we will miss you dearly. Please rest in peace...