George Pancio

Olean- George Pancio “Retired Olean High School Administrator” George Pancio passed away peacefully at home with his wife by his side, on January 20, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. George was born into a family of eleven children from parents of Austrian decent in Olean, NY to his parents, Paul, and Anastasia Pancio. He married Marcia Elaine Ives of Medina New York, March 1957, and together they have 6 children - 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren): Son, Paul (Elisabeth) Pancio of Lagrangeville, New York – grandchildren: Kristen Pancio- who recently passed away of breast cancer on January 9, 2023 (Survived by Husband Jim and Daughter Elise) Timothy(Katie) Pancio of Garnet Valley(Cameron, Eli & Rosie), and Paul James Pancio of Lagrangeville. Son, Steven (Michele) Pancio of Olean, NY – grandchildren: Sara (Chris) Mills of Lovettsville, VA (Clara, & Charlie), Steven(Brooke)Pancio of Olean, NY (Charlotte, Reagan & Madison), Stephanie Pancio of Orchard Park, NY and Shane Pancio of Olean, NY. Son Dr. George (Julliane) Pancio of Penfield, NY – grandchildren: George Pancio, Jillian Pancio, & Gabrielle Pancio. Daughter Dawn Pancio-Haddock of Winchester, VA – granddaughter Caroline Haddock. Daughter Marce Pancio of State College, PA. Daughter Paula (Skip) Buck of Port Saint Lucie, FL – grandchildren Ashleigh Pancio, Olivia Buck and Tyler Buck. George was a graduate of Olean High School- class of 1952. George received his Bachelor of Science in Education from S.U.N.Y Brockport 1960 and Master of Science in Education from S.U.N.Y Brockport 1964. George has also received several certificates – School District Administrator, School Administrator and Supervisor, Elementary School Principal, & Kindergarten & Common Branch Subjects. As a lifelong learner and educator, George touched the lives of thousands of students as a teacher through assistant superintendent. First in Brockport New York then Olean, New York. George especially loved interacting with the students and cherished talking with them about their lives, their futures and the word outside of Western New York. In addition to being an educator, George was an integral part of the community and his children’s lives. George loved to entertain others- he performed with Johnny and June Cash, Johnny Carson, Betty White, Lorne Green, Pearl Bailey, and numerous others. He would volunteer his time to help with kids from the Orphanage every year in NYC and numerous other volunteer commitments. George had a brief stint in the Military and was given an honorable discharge with the National Guard. Throughout his life, and up to the time of his death, George filled his life with raising 6 children, he loved his 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren who will deeply miss their PaPa. George’s life revolved around community service, education and patriotism. He learned if something was worth doing, it was worth doing well and George lived his life well. He put his marriage and children first; making sure Marcia was loved and cherished each day of their 65-years of marriage. He poured all his energy into making sure each of six children were prepared for life and yet still had a spark mischief in them just like he did. When George had a moment for himself, he loved to spend time at Outer Banks, North Carolina with his family, read about antique cars, plant a tree daily, play Santa Claus, be the best educator he could be, volunteer, and sit on the back porch swing with Marcia. Not to mention, he could never pass up a good garage sale. They were inseparable, always together. 1965 made first appearance on the rooftop at his home on Main Street 1966 Selected as Santa Claus in the Annual Macy*s Thanksgiving Day Parade – NYC Several Television Appearances – Johnny Carson, The Today Show, Good Morning America, several news stations, Authors roundtable – “My Life as Santa 1967 Selected as Outstanding Young Educator 1968 Started Apowlo Enterprises 1973 Introduced the first Boeing 747 as Santa’s new ride at JFK airport 1974 received an award for Outstanding Educators in America – 1st edition 1975 Vice President of Olean Area United Way 1975 Served ad Co-chairman for Miss America Homecoming Weekend in Olean, NY (Tawny Godin – winner) 1977 Appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools – Olean City School District 1978 Co-Chairmen for the Hospital Ball of Roses 1978 Adjunct Professor at Saint Bonaventure University 1981 Accepted into the Phi-Delta Kappa Fraternity at Saint Bonaventure University 1986 Camp Coordinator for Camp New Horizon 1986 National Member of Antique Oldsmobile Club of America 1960-1973 various roles with the Boy Scouts of America 1968-1979 various roles with the Olean Area YMCA 1968-1977 various roles with United Way Campaign Fund 1969 -1972 Olean Chapter of American Red Cross – President during hurricane Agnes 1978 Hospital Ball of Roses 1981-1982 Board of Directors American Cancer Society 1979-1981 Citizen Task Force 1976-1978 Board member of the Olean Child Development Center 1974-2000 Cattaraugus County Mental Health Association 1962-1975 various roles with Brockport and Olean Jaycees – worked with the Soap Box Derby 2005 Inducted in the Olean’s High School Wall of Fame 2020 inducted into International Santa Claus Hall of Fame Author of: “Dear Santa” – Co-Author – Westinghouse Corporation Building your Future in Olean - -Co-Author, Olean Chamber of Commerce Daydreams – National Poetry Association The Citizens Duty in Time of Crisis – National Essay Association Friends will be received on Monday January 23 and Tuesday January 24 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM each evening at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home 646 E State Street, Olean. A 10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday January 25th, 2023, at Saint John’s Roman Catholic Church. Entombment will be in the family mausoleum in St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, George has requested that contributions can be made to the George & Marcia Pancio Scholarship fund at Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation, 301 N Union St, Suite 203, Olean, NY 14760.