George Essey

GEORGE ESSEY, 10TH POSTMASTER OF MONESSEN

George Essey, of Monessen died on November 12, 2026 at the age of 91. Born June 24 1935, he was the son of the late Esper and Rashida Essey and is survived by his daughters Lori Essey and Susan Essey-Martin (Kenny): daughter-in-law Marian Essey and grandchildren, John (JJ) Essey, Danny Brewer, Tosha Arnold, Rick Arnold, Shayna Arnold, Christopher Essey, Michael Wyvratt, Andrew Wyvratt: great-grandchildren, Kaleigh, Joshua, Ava, Derrick Jr., A'Raja, A'Vyion, Danielle, Aurelia, Margo, Sterling, India, Keiara, Lamont and Ricky and Lena, Kylie, Christian and Kendall, sisters-in-law, Elsa Tragone (Peter): and dear friend, Joyce Morgan: and by many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Doreen Stofka Essey in June of 2013: son George A. (Chip): brothers, Samuel, Michael, Norman and Gerald: sisters-in-law Elmunda Essey, Carmella Essey: nieces, Linda, Sherry and Susan: his in-laws, George and Eva Stofka: brother and sister-in-law Richard M. and Donna Dudas. And nephew Ricky Dudas II: uncle Hafiz Kelly. He was the Junior Class President for the MHS Class of 1953, and after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and attended recruit training and the Hospital Corps School in Bainbridge MD. Upon graduating Corps School, he was stationed at the Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Bethesda Naval Medical School before being transferred to the aircraft carrier, USS Lake Champlain CVA/S-39. After his discharge, he attended California State Teachers College and began his postal career at the Monessen Post Office as a sub clerk-carrier and advanced upward to distribution clerk, window clerk, Supt. Of Mails, Postal Supervisor, Acting Postmaster and became the 10th Postmaster of the Monessen Postal Facility, retiring in 1992 after 36 years of government service. He also served as the Supervisor of Mails at the Donora Post Office and worked on the Route Inspection Team for the Pittsburgh Postal Sectional Center. Mr. Essey was very active at St Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church of Monessen prior to its closure in 2017, serving as parish president in 1960 and 1985, and served in every position on the council, retiring from his latest position of treasurer in 2005, completing 57 years of service to his church. He also was the cantor and choir director, a position he has held since 1967. After the closure of St Michael, he continued serving as the cantor and choir director at St. Ellien AOC in Brownsville PA. He also directed the Mon-Valley Orthodox Choirs for the Sunday of Orthodoxy service on many occasions. At the 100th anniversary of his church, he became one of the first members of St. Michael to be installed into The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. He was active with the MHS Class of 1953 reunion and birthday parties, chairing many events. He was a former life member, a past-treasurer and past-secretary of the Monessen Elks Lodge 773, serving as secretary for 15 years. He was active with the Boy Scouts (1959 to 1972), serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster, then Scoutmaster of Troops 511 and 505, and was a recipient of the Scouter's Key. His proudest accomplishment was grooming 13 Eagle Scouts and having 6 Scouts becoming Clergymen, with Billy Essey as former Bishop BASIL of the Wichita and Mid-America Diocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. He was a former member and treasurer of the Monessen Rotary Club: a former member of the National Association of Postal Supervisors, the National Association of Postmasters, and the Westmoreland County Postmaster Association: a former member and chairman of the Advisory Board of the Monessen Salvation Army. He was a former member of the Supervisory Committee, and was sewing as an Assistant Treasurer and the President of the Board of Director of the Washington County Postal Federal CU prior to the merger with Frick Financial FCU. He was a charter member of the USS Lake Champlain CVA/S-39 Association, a proud member of the Mid-Mon Valley Shipmates, former secretary of the Monessen Veteran's Council, and a member of the Charleroi Area Golden Agers. Friends will be received on Monday November 16th. from 4 until 8 PM in the Robert A. Billick Funeral Home Inc. Grand Blvd and Marion Ave Monessen. Fr. Fred Pfeil will have a Trisagion Service on Monday at 7 pm in the Funeral home. Online condolences can be left at www.billicksfuneralhome.com