TORRINGTON – George Michael Sabolcik, born Feb. 19, 1945, to Stephen Sabolcik and Lucy Abraham, passed away surrounded by family on Jan. 26, 2024, following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.
George grew up on the South End of Torrington with his brother Michael Sabolcik and sister Jody Forsberg, and would often play with his cousins Mary Ann and Tony around that neighborhood. He was a product of the Torrington education system, first attending South School, and later graduating from Oliver Wolcott Technical School as an electrician.
A year after graduating, George volunteered to join the Navy Reserves and was sent to Vietnam as part of the Seabees Construction Battalion MCB-6. George enlisted in 1963, went active in 1965 and was deployed from 1966-67.
While in this country he helped construct and wire critical support and living structures in forward theaters ahead of infantry deployment. He made numerous connections while in Vietnam, and forged lifelong friendships that he maintained until the end of his life.
George M. Sabolcik
After an honorable and decorated discharge from the Navy in 1969, George returned home to Torrington and worked as a licensed journeyman electrician for a few Torrington area companies.
In 1970, George met his future wife and the love of his life, June. They were married in 1975, and had two children, George “Monty,” and Elizabeth. George and June were married for nearly 50 years, and they spent that time loving each other, working together to provide their kids a warm and nurturing environment to grow up in, and running his business HI Standard Electric.
George was in business in the Torrington area and northwest Connecticut for more than 45 years, and developed a reputation for outstanding electrical work, unflinching honesty, and fair prices.
After retiring in 2015, George was able to focus more on his numerous interests, including local and national politics, fishing, shooting, gardening, and spending time at his cottage in Rhode Island.
George had the gift of gab, and spent countless nights at the Twin Colony Diner in Torrington chatting with his friends, and at times perfect strangers. He was a staunch supporter of veterans organizations, and was a member of the Torrington Seabee Island X-1 Connecticut group for years.
He also held the post of commander and treasurer of X-1, spent much time conducting outreach to attract new members, and helped organize outreach to the national Seabees.
He would never miss a chance to march in the Memorial Day parade, attend the services and place flowers on the graves of the fallen, or sell poppies outside of Walmart to help benefit those who served.
George would put everything on hold to help his friends and family, and loved nothing more than spending time with and watching his grandchildren grow up at family parties, sporting events and at the beach in Narragansett. As was in his nature, he never complained even as the Parkinson’s and FTD progressed and made it harder to do the things he loved.
George is survived by his wife June; his children Monty Sabolcik and his wife Angela, Elizabeth White and her husband Christian; his brother Michael Sabolcik and his wife Terry; and his grandchildren Connor, Monty Jr., Catherine, Samuel, and Jeremiah; many nieces and nephews; lifelong friends Joe Thon, David Bonaguide; as well as many others who will feel his loss.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Torrington Area Veterans Office.
Visiting hours will be Friday, Feb. 2, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Phalen Funeral Home on Migeon Avenue in Torrington. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11 a.m. at St. Peter Church in Torrington, and a burial will follow at New St. Francis Cemetery.
Online memorials phalenfuneral.com.
If you would like to share an obituary of a loved one to be listed here, please contact the Navy Seabee Foundation at info@seabee.org.