George (Chips) Duke Valiga Jr., 80, of Plymouth, passed away on Sept. 29 at his home after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on Oct. 11, 1943, in Brunswick, Maine, the son of George Duke Valiga, Sr. and Camilla Profenna Valiga.
He graduated from Aliquippa High School, Pennsylvania in 1962 and earned his BS in Social Studies in 1966 from Kent State University, Ohio, where he was commissioned upon completion of the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps program.
He joined the United States Airforce in 1966, was decorated with the Bronze Star medal and served until honorably discharged in 1975.
After a career in insurance that took him to the Pacific Northwest, he moved to the East Coast where he was a vice president and general manager at National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors before his retirement in 2012.
George loved to travel, visiting over 30 countries in his lifetime. He especially enjoyed introducing his daughter to his favorite places that he had visited in the past. He was also an avid runner, completing several marathons in the USA. In more recent years, he would often be out walking the trails in the Pinehills.
Those who got to know George got to experience his wonderful sense of sarcasm and dry humor.
He leaves a spouse, Denice Parks Valiga; daughter, Courtney Elizabeth Valiga; brother and sister-in-law, David Valiga and Marilyn Valiga; and nephew, David Jeremiah Valiga.
As per George’s wish there will be no visiting hours or memorial service. Arrangements were entrusted to the care of the Cartmell-Davis Life Celebration Funeral Homes, Plymouth.
Memorial donations in George’s memory may be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or Three Harts Veterans Farm.