George Durkota, age 96, passed away peacefully on October 7, 2024. He was the son of Sophie Petrovick and George Durkota.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served proudly aboard the U.S.S. Narragansett ATF 88 which received three battle stars for invasions in the European Theater. After the war he returned to the General Electric Co. in Bridgeport and worked as a tool and die maker during the day and attended night classes at the University of Bridgeport to earn his Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Degree. During the Korean War he was a USAF Reservist for four years. On April 16, 2009, he was awarded the State of Connecticut Veterans Wartime Service Medal. He was a former member of the Raymond T. Goldbach VFW Post 4960 in Stratford. He later earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and worked in the Avionic Branch at Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford. As an Avionic Test Engineer he participated in the development of the automatic pilot system (AFCS). He flew on development missions weekly which included the S-58, S-61 (HSS-2), S62 (Coast Guard), S-60 (Flying Crane) and CH-53, RH-53 (Sonar). He said it was a great honor as a young engineer when Mr. Igor Sikorsky shook his hand congratulating him on his contributions to the AFCS System Development and gave him an autographed copy of his book "The Winged S". He left Sikorsky to work for the Naval Air Systems Command in Washington D.C. as an Electronic Engineer. Later returning to Sikorsky Aircraft working for the Navy Department as an Electronic Engineer assigned to the U.S. Marine Corp. Executive Flight Detachment with secret clearance working on the HSS-2 Presidential aircraft. He retired from the Navy Department and was hired by Sikorsky Aircraft as a computer Engineer on the Commanche, their latest prototype aircraft.

He enjoyed flying his Military Royal Canadian Air Force plane, particularly to Martha's Vineyard, Mass and Block Island, Rhode Island. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association of Oshkosh, Wisconsin and a former President of EAA Chapter 27 at Meriden, CT airport. During that time he built an EAA biplane and test flew it at Meriden airport. In later years, relaxation for him and his wife were the many cruises, sailing with several close friends while living in Florida. Predeceased by his wife Marilyn, his survivors include his daughter Diane and husband Jack Warhola, granddaughter Kristine, grandson Kevin Warhola, son Alana Durkota and son David Durkota, eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren. A Military Funeral will be held privately at Union Cemetery, Stratford CT. Funeral Arrangements will be handled by Dennis & D'Arcy - Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, Stratford. To offer online condolences to his family please visit www.dennisanddarcy.com