- Date Of Birth: April 21, 1922
- Date Of Death: February 13, 2017
- State: Connecticut
George W. Tomecko Sr., of Storrs, died Monday, February 13, 2017 at the Mansfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was born April 21, 1922 in Chicago, IL, the son of Stephen Paul and Magda (Stefunko) Tomecko. He lived in New York City until WWII. After the war, he spent summers in Gurleyville. In 1953, he built his house in Storrs that he would live in until his death. Older Storrs residents will remember George as their dedicated mailman who would often perform acts of kindness while performing his job.
He married Dorothy B.
He was predeceased by a brother, Stephen Paul Tomecko; a sister, Betty Constance Roberts (Joseph); half sisters, Helen Toth Cancellieri (Ben), Lillian Toth Bradley, Mary Toth Cherkes (Romeo); and half brothers, Edward Toth, Joseph Walter Toth (Dorothy); and an infant grandson, Timothy Arthur Tomecko.
Shortly after his 18th birthday, George enlisted in the Army Air Corp and served with the 27th Material Squadron stationed at Nichols Field in the Philippine Islands. He was a 19 year old private first class serving as an aerial gunner when the Philippines were attacked shortly after Pearl Harbor. He became part of that small group of men who were cut off from support, fought on, and became known as the “Battling Bastards of Bataan.” He was taken prisoner in May of 1942 and spent the next 3.5 years in infamous Japanese prison camps in South Korea and Manchuria. During his imprisonment, his weight dropped from 150 to 80 pounds, and he endured many occasions of severe beatings. The camp was liberated and he was discharged in June of 1946. He was awarded multiple Purple Hearts as well as a number of Campaign and Victory Medals. Almost 40 years later, he was asked to come to Westover Air Force Base where, in a special ceremony, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his wartime valor. He was an active member of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, serving a term as Vice Commander of the regional chapter. In 2015, he was extensively interviewed by a delegation from China and is featured in a movie entitled “Behind Bayonets and Barbed Wire.” It depicts the experiences of those Americans who fought, were captured, and endured inhumane treatment during the Bataan Death March and subsequent captivity. Remarkably, George never harbored any ill will toward his captors after the war.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the wonderful nurses and staff of both Home Instead Senior Care and the Mansfield Nursing& Rehab Center for their loving support and care of George.
