George Richard Vetrano, Sr.

George passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on May 2nd, 2024, at the age of 83.  He was born on December 2, 1940, in Brooklyn, New York to Marie and Peter Vetrano. Growing up in a family of seven (7) children was an adventure. 

In 1957, at the age of 16, George met the Love of His Life, Carol Ann Schaeffer when she was 15. They married two (2) years later, on July 11, 1959.  They began their married life in South Ozone Park, New York. George worked as an Apprentice Machinist, Journeyman Machinist and Tool and Die Maker. George and Carol had three sons, George Jr., Thomas and Guy. 

In July of 1974, with the three boys in tow, George and Carol, who were also known as the “Trailblazers”, by their friends and families, travelled across the country to Tucson to find their new home. And….the rest is history!!

George worked at Hughes Aircraft and IBM as a Tool and Die Maker and then Manger of the Model Shop. For several years, he also enjoyed teaching Machine Shop at Pima Community College.

In 1998, George retired from IBM and joined Carol in her home building business, The Vetrano Group, Custom Home Builders. As a team, they built dream homes for their clients. But most of all, they enjoyed every moment of creating and building together!

Through the fruits of their labor, George and Carol enjoyed traveling throughout the world. George was most proud of his family. Raising three “Boys to Men” took a lot of food and cooking, which he also loved to do!  He was very much known for his meatballs, sauce and rigatoni pasta, which he gladly made for any occasion!! He is dearly missed but, in our hearts, forever and ever.

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George was preceded in death by his mother and father, and his 6 siblings, Frances “Snooky”, Peter “Sonny”, Donald, Henry, Richard “Richie” and Janice. George is survived by his wife Carol, and his children, George Jr. (Rebecca), Thomas (Michelle) and Guy (Susan) and his grandchildren, Nicolas, Joseph (April), Gabriella and Dawsyn.

Visitation at Adair Funeral Homes (Adair Avalon Chapel) from 4:00-6:15pm, Rosary from 6:15-7:00pm on Tuesday, May 7th.

Funeral Mass at St. Odilia Catholic Church from 11:30am-12:30pm followed by the Procession and Interment Services at Holy Hope Catholic Cemetery from 1:00-1:30pm on Wednesday, May 8th.

Celebration of Life Reception at Thomas and Michelle Vetrano’s House (10415 North Pecan Place) at 2:15pm on Wednesday, May 8th.