George Duda

George J. Duda, 84, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2013. George was born in Cleveland, Ohio on September 10, 1929. He grew up in Oviedo, Florida and later moved to Albuquerque in 1957. George was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1959 and lived with the many challenges associated with that disease for more than 50 years. However, that didn�t slow him down, as we often referred to George as the �roadrunner� because of his endless energy and constant motion. George proudly served his country as a veteran of the US Army. He worked many long days outdoors as a brick mason for more than 30 years until his retirement. During his years as a brick mason, George was a proud member of the Brick Layers & Allied Craft Workers Local Union 3. He enjoyed raising vegetables in the home garden and was very generous giving away his prized tomatoes, zucchini and fresh green beans. He loved being outdoors, hunting upland birds and fishing for just about anything he could bring home to the freezer. He enjoyed his fishing trips to the Jemez and Pecos wilderness here in New Mexico, but he wasn�t happy unless he came home with his legal �limit� on the stringer for the hard day�s work. Another of his most beloved hobbies to pass the time in retirement was metal detecting. He spent many long days competing with his buddy, Vern Beaman, to see who would find the best treasure that day, and the loser always had to buy lunch at their favorite stop � the local Burger King. George was also a sports fan and frequently would wager lunch with friends on whatever Lobo game (football or basketball) was playing, or every time the Dallas Cowboys played. However, he never lost his love for the sports teams from his home town, Cleveland. George is survived by his loving and caring wife of 33 years, Karin; son, George Jr. and wife Rainy Duda of Newport News, Virginia; son David and wife Milan Duda of Lorton, Virginia; son Kevin and wife Roberta Duda of Albuquerque: daughter Stefanie and husband Shawn Stomp of Albuquerque; and grandchildren, Megan, Adam, Jason, Garrett, Kaylyn, Brandon, Lindsay and many loving nieces and nephews. George was preceded in death by his parents George and Emilia Duda; his sisters Vera Dubovsky, Olga Kocka and Blanche Poulsen; and granddaughter, Suzanne Stomp. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on October 10, 2013 at Daniels Family Funeral Services - Wyoming Chapel, 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM. Interment will be at a later date at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, George asked that memorial donations be given in his name to Make A Wish of New Mexico, 144 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. The family of George Duda wishes to express many thanks to the staff at St Theresa Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for their assistance and support.