George Anthony “Tony” Chmielewski

George Anthony “Tony” Chmielewski, 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend to many passed away on November 3, 2022, after a long battle with ALS. He fought with strength, courage, and grace throughout his bout with the awful disease.

Born in Canton, Ohio on January 11, 1938, to George Seubert and Helen Judin Chmielewski, Tony was adopted as a teenager by Stanley Chmielewski. He graduated in 1956 from Poland High School in Poland, Ohio, where he played football, participated in band, and was president of his senior class. After graduation, Tony attended Youngstown State University where he graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Engineering degree. After college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served overseas in South Korea until he was honorably discharged in 1964.

Upon completing his military service, Tony returned to civilian life and began his career as a civil engineer for the Ohio Department of Transportation. He met and married the love of his life, Phyllis DeBacco, in 1965. Together they had two children, Sharyn and David. In 1979, Hunt Oil Company hired Tony, and he moved the family to Minden, Louisiana, where he worked on several offshore projects in the Gulf of Mexico. After a few years in Louisiana, he was promoted to a position at Hunt’s corporate office in Dallas, and later took an assignment in Midland as District Superintendent. In 1990, Tony and Phyllis relocated to Sana’a, Yemen where he worked an overseas assignment lasting 10 years before he retired in 2000.

Valuable and competent in his field, Tony held professional engineering certifications in Ohio, Louisiana, and Texas. He was also a member of several professional organizations, including the National Society of Professional Engineers, the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Highway Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

In retirement, Tony and Phyllis relocated to Sun City in Georgetown. They loved to travel and to spend time with family and friends all of whom viewed him as kind, caring, and always willing to help.

Tony had a passion for shooting sports, particularly hunting with his son and friends. Being out in the woods or outdoor spaces brought him joy. He likewise enjoyed working around the yard and caring for his possessions, priding himself on an immaculate lawn and spotless vehicles. Tony adored his grandchildren and had special relationships with each of them, with inside jokes and songs, as well as mentoring through life advice and lessons. Tony was quiet and unassuming, but when he spoke, his words had substance, power, and meaning. He was well respected by professional colleagues and friends alike. He is already sorely missed but held deeply and forever in many hearts.

Tony is survived by his wife of 57 years, Phyllis Debacco Chmielewski; daughter, Sharyn Chmielewski Helm, and her husband, Christian of Decatur; son, David Chmielewski and his wife, Deni of Cypress; his grandchildren, Hunter Helm, Zoë Chmielewski, Quinn Helm, Anthony Chmielewski, Rubye Helm, and Van Chmielewski; sister, Judy Waid and her husband, Richard of Warren, Ohio; sister, Monica Latsko of Poland, Ohio; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the ALS clinic at Houston Methodist for providing compassionate care, and Veterans Affairs for assisting during Tony’s struggle with ALS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tony’s name to the ALS Fund at Houston Methodist Hospital. www.givingforms.houstonmethodist.org/GeneralGivingForm A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 21, 2022, in the Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home with Reverend Jim McLendon officiating. Military honors will be rendered by the United States Army.