ORONO – George Stanley Lubanda, 93, died Oct. 11, 2010, at Orono Commons. George was born Sept. 5, 1917, in Hamburg, Pa., the third child to Frank and Carrie Lubanda. He graduated from Reading High School in 1935. George served during World War II as an air craft mechanic instructor for the U.S. Army, assigned to the Panama Canal region helping to prepare planes for service in the Pacific Theater. After the war George settled back in Reading, Pa., where he worked for Clark Equipment and was the leader of “George Lubanda and the Caprians Band.” He enjoyed sailing his small sailboat on lakes in the eastern Pennsylvania area. George moved to Orono in the late 1990s to be closer to his sister, Frances Caroline Hartgen. He took an apartment in town and often could be found walking the Forest Avenue hill twice daily to visit Frances and her husband, artist Vincent Hartgen. He was a great help to the Hartgen family in these years, assisting them with many routine tasks while also caring for their dog, Patch, to which George was particularly attached. After the Hartgens passing in 2002 and 2006, George continued to live in Orono. He enjoyed his time with his good friend, Bill Henderson; they could often be found at Pat’s Pizza or Dunkin’ Donuts. Another favorite hangout for George was Judy’s Scrappin’, Stampin’ & Gifts. He and Judy spent a lot of time talking and laughing. George will be sadly missed by his good friends, Bill Henderson, and Judy and Steve Smith. George is survived by two nephews, David Hartgen of Concord, N.C., and Stephen Hartgen of Twin Falls, Idaho; as well as by distant relatives in the Naugatuck (Conn.) area. – the descendents of his older brother, Frank. He was predeceased by his parents; and two older siblings, Frances and Frank. A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, at Orono United Methodist Church, 36 Oak St., Orono. Interment will be after at Riverside Cemetery, Orono. Gifts in his memory may be made to Animal Orphanage, P.O. Box 565, Orono, ME 04473 or Cross Road Ministries, 2 Wood St., Old Town, ME 04468. A service of Brookings-Smith, LaBeau Chapel, Orono. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
GEORGE LUBANDA
