George Maroska, of Charleston, a proud veteran, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on July 22, 1946, George was the son of Lena Lynes Maroska and Ancel S. Maroska, both of whom preceded him in death. He graduated from Ridgeland High School in 1964 and proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969 during the Vietnam War. While stationed in Quang Nam-Da Nang, Vietnam, George volunteered for the Combined Action Program (CAP), a bold counterinsurgency initiative by the USMC. As part of CAP, he served alongside a squad of Marines and a Navy Corpsman embedded in one of 114 South Vietnamese villages stretching from Chu Lai to the DMZ. George and his unit lived among the villagers 24 hours a day, constantly at risk from North Vietnamese Army attacks. During his service, George was exposed to Agent Orange, a toxic herbicide used during the war. In the years that followed, he faced serious health challenges, and in the final years of his life, he battled amyloidosis, a rare and incurable disease. Despite his strength and perseverance, he ultimately succumbed to the illness, a burden carried long after his time in uniform had ended. After returning home, George continued his journey by earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from The Citadel in 1973, embracing new opportunities. He was married to Patricia Hayes Maroska (deceased) and had two children, the late Stephen Maroska and his daughter Catherine Maroska Neel, who resides in Clemson with her husband, John Neel. He was a loving grandfather to Grace Schaff (Aaron), Virginia Neel, and Rosemary Neel, all of whom brought him immense pride and joy. He is also survived by his brother, John Maroska, and sister-in-law, Carol, with whom he shared a very close bond throughout his life. On March 25, 2024, George married Peggy All, his partner of nearly a decade, and with whom he had a joyful and loving partnership. Together, they found great comfort and fun in their late-night talk sessions and competitive Alexa games, often ending their evenings with laughter and lively debates over trivia and music. One of their favorite shared pastimes was taking cruises-whether exploring new destinations or simply enjoying the ocean, they cherished the adventure, meeting new people at sea, and the memories they created together on each voyage. George had a deep love for all things Low Country. He could often be found enjoying the view of the marsh from his condo. A lifelong music lover, George never missed a chance to turn up the oldies and hit the dance floor for a shag-always in his classic loafers, never with socks. His signature style and smooth steps were a hit, and he danced with the kind of joy that made everyone want to join in. He especially cherished reminiscing about the good old days spent with his cousins on the family property affectionately known as “Muddy Acres,” where childhood adventures in the salt water and laughter under the sun made memories that lasted a lifetime. His stories of the past were a treasured part of every visit. George will be remembered for his love of conversation and his constant belief that his winning lottery ticket was just around the corner. He was a dreamer at heart, always musing about what he’d do “when” – not if – he struck it rich. Whether it was planning adventures or simply enjoying the view from his porch, George embraced life with a sense of possibility that left a lasting impression on those who knew him. The family is still making plans for a service to honor George’s memory at a later date and will share the details once they are finalized. In lieu of flowers, they kindly ask that donations be made to a veterans’ organization of your choice in George’s honor. Semper Fi, George