George Joseph Ernest Rollo, 99, passed away on August 20, 2024. He was born in Williamsburg, VA, on June 18, 1925, the son of George P. and Emily F. Rollo. George attended local schools and entered the United States Marine Corps upon graduation from Fork Union Military Academy. George served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, joining the 8th 155MM Gun Battalion on Guadalcanal and serving as an artillery crewman during the invasion of Okinawa.

After the war, George was self-employed for many years working in businesses with his father such as the Rollo Bowling Alley. After his father’s death, Newport News Amusement Company employed him for many years. He enjoyed restoring antique billiard tables, juke boxes, and his part-time employment with Long’s Billiard Supply during his retirement. George’s skills as a craftsman spilled over into his personal space. He created helpful gadgets and filled his home with self-invented devices.

He was a charter member of St Luke’s United Methodist Church where he served as chairman of several committees and enjoyed singing in the Chancel Choir and Faithful Men’s Chorus for over 50 years. George considered his support of starting St Luke’s his proudest accomplishment.

George was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, and The Marine Corps League. He was an avid private pilot with commercial and instrument ratings, a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, and held a Coast Guard Masters License. When he was not full from eating ice cream, George loved seafood and taco salads with his daughter. He loved animals and nature and spent time staring at the ocean and feeding squirrels.

George’s son, Phillip Anthony Rollo, and former wife, Sally Rollo, preceded him in death. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Shelly and Bill Roman, of Sterling, VA; his three grandsons, Jake Rollo Shilling (Patricia), Erik Rollo Shilling (Jessica), both of Baltimore, MD, and Phillip George Rollo of Yorktown, VA; as well as his great-granddaughter Eleanor Violet Shilling of Baltimore, MD.

A funeral service will take place at noon on August 27, 2024, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, located at 300 Ella Taylor Rd, Yorktown, VA 23692. The family will welcome visitors at the church beginning at 10:30 AM. Following the service, a reception will be held. Internment will occur at Peninsula Memorial Park at 3 PM. Instead of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy in the form of contributions to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Arrangements are in the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.