George Albert McHale, age 72, of Scranton, died unexpectedly Saturday evening under the care of Regional Hospital's Intensive Care Unit. He is survived by his wife, Ann L. Ponzelli McHale. Born in Scranton on May 26, 1939, son of the late George T. and Thelma Leona Shafer McHale, George was a graduate of the former Scranton Technical High School. A United States Army Veteran, he took great pride in serving his country in the infantry during the Korean War. Having previously worked at Manhattan Shirt Company where he was a member of the garment workers' union, he spent the past 27 years working for McHale Landscaping and Janitorial where he was adored by the many he had worked for. A spiritual man of Roman Catholic faith, he was an active member of Holy Rosary Church at Mary Mother of God Parish. An avid sports fan, he was always proud of being teammates with Vice President Joseph Biden on the first ever baseball team to play at Green Ridge Little League. He loved Penn State Nittany Lion football and both the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies. An asset to his neighborhood, he'll be long remembered for all he did for his neighbors. A loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin and friend, his legacy will live on through his family. He will be dearly missed. He is survived by his children, Kathleen McHale-Petkovyat and husband John of Fort Worth, Texas, George T. McHale and girlfriend, Lisa Fisher of Scranton, Christopher McHale and girlfriend Christine Stepanovich of Scranton, and Colleen McHale-Prislupsky and husband David of Throop; a brother, John Hal McHale and wife Janet of Dunmore; two sisters, Carol Gilpin and husband Leonard of Newfoundland and Beverly Sylvester of Pittston; grandchildren, Lucy Petkovyat, Macie, Kristin, Lindsey and Sarah McHale, Adam and Sarah Sleboda and Liam Stepanovich; one great-grandchild, Noah Keiper; a step-daughter, Joann Sleboda and husband Marty of Dickson City; sisters-in-law, Mary Ponzelli and Linda McHale; nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Brandy. Brothers, Arthur John and James J. McHale, and a sister, Joan Catherine Eglesia, also preceded him in death. His family would like to acknowledge the late Dr. James Mackrell and all of the doctors and staff who had taken care of George throughout the years. Funeral services have been scheduled for Thursday at 10:00AM from the Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, West Scranton, with an 11:00AM Mass of Christian Burial in Holy Rosary Church at Mary Mother of God Parish, 316 William Street, to be celebrated by Rev. Cyril D. Edwards, Pastor. Interment with full military burial rites by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow in the Cathedral Cemetery. Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Wednesday between 5-8:00PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in George's name to St. Joseph's Center Foundation, 2010 Adams Avenue, Scranton, 18509.