A longtime Pirates fan and Homer City accountant has passed away.
George Coury of Homer City passed away suddenly last night. Coury, who had his accounting office on Yankeetown Avenue, was a long time Pirates fan. In fact, last season, the Pirates honored Coury for being a season ticket holder for 48 years, seeing games in both Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park.
His love of Pirates baseball was what he was known for, according to Homer City resident Lou Sacco, who said that to him, baseball was a passion.
Outside of his love for Pirates baseball and his accounting work, Coury was also a part of Indiana County’s Democratic party for many years, including serving some time as a campaign chairman. Ron Fairman, the state committee man for Indiana County’s Democratic party, said that he got to help campaign for many candidates, and was instrumental in the success for one candidate.
Funeral arrangements have not been released as of yet. Coury passed away at the age of 83.
Statement from Frank Coonelly and Mark Bertiig’s interview with Coonelly:
“The Pittsburgh Pirates lost a beloved member of our family today when long-time season ticket holder and friend George Coury passed. On behalf of the entire organization, our prayers and our love are with George’s daughters, grandchildren and entire family.
George was an incredible Pirates fan. For nearly 50 years, George took the hour and a half drive from Homer City to Three Rivers Stadium and PNC Park and back for virtually every one of the Club’s 81 home games. Missing only a handful of games over those five decades, George attended nearly 4,000 Pirates games in Pittsburgh, and many others on the road. George was a fixture along the first base line, becoming friends with players, first base coaches and umpires. While the Pirates gave George great joy at the ballpark and while following on TV and radio, George enhanced the ballpark experience at Three Rivers and PNC Park for every fan and game day staff member who had the pleasure to interact with him. George loved to talk baseball and politics, and he was extremely knowledgeable and opinionated on both subjects.
We will miss George tremendously when we open the 2019 season at PNC Park on April 1, 2019 without him, and we will never forget one of the greatest fans that this franchise has ever had.”
Mark Bertiig’s interview with Frank Coonelly
(Image from the Pittsburgh Pirates)
