George John Luciani

George John Luciani

Echo Oregon

George John Luciani, 91, of Echo, Oregon passed away peacefully at his home on Butter Creek surrounded by his family on June 23, 2017.   George was born in Echo, Oregon in a Union Pacific section house on October 2, 1925, to Giovanni “John” Luciani and Rosina Dimico Luciani.   George was raised and attended school in Echo where he excelled at basketball.   He graduated from Echo High School in 1943, a year later he enlisted in the United States Army. During that time George met the love of his life Beatrice Haugen, a sweet Norwegian girl from South Dakota whom he was introduced to by his Sister Carmelita and her husband Fiore Borghese. After basic training at Camp Roberts, he and Beatrice were married February 4, 1945 in Pendleton Oregon.  He served in the Philippines at an Army Hospital and later was sent to Japan where he achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.  Shortly after he was honorably discharged and returned to Echo.
 George’s love of farming started 70 years ago working for local farmers. A lease partnership was formed with Leo Ashbeck at Pine City until he purchased his own farm in 1965 which is still located on Butter Creek.

 
Committed to the community, George was active in many activities and organizations over the years including Morrow County Fair and Rodeo Board where George was honored as Grand Marshall in 1990. George was involved in various community activities including: member of the Echo School Board, an Echo Quarterback Club founding member, life member of the VFW & Heppner Elks Lodge, Oregon Wheat Growers Association, Morrow County Grain Growers, McNary Yacht Club charter member and longtime member of the Lutheran Church.  His hobbies included being a rock hound, he enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, hunting and boating.  George lit up whenever friends and family would visit, the hospitality was abounding no matter who walked into the room.  He absolutely cherished time with his family and supported the numerous activities of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 72 years Beatrice “Bea” Luciani, Echo, OR; daughters Karla Anderson (Doug), Sheila Cozad (Bob), Patty Matheny and son John H Luciani (Karen), ten grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren with one more to come any day and numerous nieces and nephews.

George was proceeded in death by his parents and three sisters; Carmelita Borghese, Dorothy Brown and Marion Hibbard and beloved niece Pam Haugen Fishman and Son in Law David Matheny.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 485 W Locust Ave., Hermiston, Oregon. 
Burial with military honors will follow at 2:30 P.M. at the Echo Cemetery, Echo, Oregon.

Those who wish may make contributions in George’s memory to the Echo Historical Society or Vange John Hospice Veterans  Honor Program c/oBurns Mortuary, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, OR 

Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon is in care of arrangements.

 Service Information