Obituary of George Duane Marsolek

MARSOLEK, George "Duane", age 64, passed away September 8, 2016 at Banner - University Medical Center Tucson. He was born on June 20, 1952 in Tucson, AZ to George Peter and Dorothy Jean Marsolek. He graduated from Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson and attended the University of Arizona. He served in the US Air Force before joining the Central Intelligence Agency. He retired from the CIA in 2009 after 31 years of adventure and service around the world. Duane received a heart transplant in 1990, surviving almost 27 years with his new heart. Despite his health challenges, he was amazingly resilient, lived his life to the fullest, and maintained his ever-present sense of humor. We are forever grateful to the donor family for they truly gave our family the gift of life. He is survived by his devoted wife of 45 years, Pamela Ann Marsolek of Marana, AZ, their children, Gregory Marsolek (Michelle) of Tucson, AZ, Brad Marsolek (Stella) of Maricopa, AZ, Lori Marsolek Hetrick (Michael) of Vienna, Austria, and four grandchildren, Kyra Fleming of Tempe, AZ, Kevin Fleming of Tucson, AZ, and Rylee and Taylor Hetrick of Vienna, Austria. He is also survived by his nephew, Bryant Robert (Susanne) of Evergreen, CO, and sisters-in-law Susan Carr (Gregory) of Marana, AZ and Dani Knapp (Tom) of Tucson, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Shirley Robert, and nephew, Kevin Robert. We would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and staff in the Diamond 2 West ICU, Banner - University Medical Center Tucson, for their exceptional care. We also would especially like to express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Amy Sussman and her Medical Assistant, Starla for their extraordinary and compassionate care and for enhancing his quality of life for the last four years. Visit with family and friends Tuesday, September 13, 2016 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. with Rosary to start at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Service to begin at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 all to be held at Adair Avalon Funeral Chapel in Oro Valley, AZ. with internment to follow at the Arizona Veterans' Cemetery at Marana. Memorial donations can be made to The Annual Fund for Salpointe Catholic High School, 1545 E. Cooper Street, Tucson, AZ 85719.