George Nicholas Padovan

George Nicholas Padovan, 89 years old, died peacefully on October 7th, 2023. He was born on September 12th, 1934 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Nick Padovan and Elizabeth Gacina. When George was 14 years old, he moved to San Pedro. At 17 years old, George joined the Navy and served during the Korean War. Traveling on an active aircraft carrier, George witnessed the United States testing the Hydrogen Bomb at Bikini Atoll.

George was an accomplished, gifted and talented athlete. He played basketball and football at San Pedro High School, Harbor College, and the University of Oregon. During his education at Harbor College, George was a proud member of the team that won the 1956 California Junior College State Championship.

After college, George became a commercial fisherman and fished in South America, Alaska, and the East Coast. As George’s career evolved, he became an ILWU Local 13 member and retired 48 years later. His skills led him to become a talented crane driver, retiring as a crane instructor.

In George’s free time, he mentored and coached boys basketball at The Boys And Girls Club. His coaching lasted 15 years and developed into lifetime friendships with many of his former ball players.

George was a dedicated and talented artist in his later years. Art was his passion- charcoal sketching, oil paintings, and much more. He attended art classes at Art Center of Design in Pasadena, Ca.

In addition to his many hobbies, George became a voracious world traveler. He traveled to beautiful places such as: Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovenia, Japan, The Philippines, Chile and nearly all 50 states.

In 2009, George was inducted into the San Pedro Sports Walk of Fame. In his last few years of life, George became an avid and determined hydrow rower. In January 2021 (87 yrs old), George rowed 1,000,000 meters (621 miles) in less than a year.

As we mourn our loss, let us also celebrate the incredible life he led and the profound impact he made on so many.

George is survived by his loving wife, Bernadette Padovan; children: Mary Robertson, Nick (Helen) Padovan, Lisa Luera; Stepdaughters: Jamie and Ashley Bulaich, Grandchildren: Ryan (Nicole) Burgess, Kate (Sidro) Felix, Jay (Shannon) Luera, Tatiana and Nico Padovan; Great grandchildren: Evangeline and Evan Felix, Delaney Burgess.

A viewing will be held at Green Hills Memorial Park on Sunday, October 29th from 4:30-8:30. The funeral will be on Monday, October 30th, at 11:30 at Holy Trinity. A private burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to:

San Pedro Boys and Girls Club
1200 S. Cabrillo Ave.
San Pedro, CA 90731

Or

San Pedro Peninsula Cancer Guild
1536 W. 25Th St.
PO Box 524
San Pedro, CA 90732