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George Kohler - Class of 1942

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 30/Apr/2025
71.223.144.36

    George R. Kohler, known by many as "Coke" passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 29th at his residence in the arms of his loving wife of 72 years Josephine. He was 101. George was born in Newburgh at St. Luke's hospital on August 16th, 1923 to George and Elizabeth Kohler.

Growing up in the Town of Newburgh, George was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. George graduated from Newburgh Free Academy in 1942, where he excelled in basketball, baseball, football, and track and field. Upon graduating, he was drafted into the Army to fight in World War II. George arrived in Europe in January of 1943, where he was assigned to George Patton's Third Army 550 battalion. George was an anti aircraft machine gunner trained on the 50 caliber and 40mm. George fought three years concluding by liberating the concentration camps, being discharged in December 1945, earning a good conduct medal, European theater medal with silver star attachment, World War II victory medal, honorable service, and marksman badge and rifle bar. Upon discharge, he attended Syracuse University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Engineering. George became a public adjuster. In 1975, he purchased Parrott Dock builders on front street in Newburgh. George built docks on the Hudson River from NYC to Albany. On May 23,1952, George married Josephine "Dolly" Moschi, they both shared a wonderful life for almost 73 years.

George was an excellent golfer and his fellow golfers would always say, "If you are looking for the golf ball, it's not George's!".

George was a longtime member and the last WWII veteran at the American Legion Post 1796, where he enjoyed many friends and many drinks.

George was predeceased by his father George, mother Elizabeth and his sister Elizabeth. He is survived by his wife "Dolly", sister in law Sandra Hawley, and nephews George Jackson, Jonathon Repko, his wife Michelle, Jason Repko and E.J. Repko.

Family and friends are invited to honor George's life during visitation hours on Monday, May 5, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Brooks Funeral Home, located at 481 Gidney Ave, Newburgh, NY.

A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, May 6, at 11:00 AM at Meadow Hill Reformed Church, 211 Fletcher Drive North Newburgh, NY. Following the service, George will be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, 93 Union Avenue New Windsor, NY. - August 16, 1923 ~ April 29, 2025