George J. Chorba Sr. | Villanova professor, 83

George J. Chorba Sr., 83, of King of Prussia, a retired Villanova University professor and decorated World War II veteran, died of lung failure Friday at Paoli Memorial Hospital.

Professor Chorba joined the accounting department of Villanova in 1951 and later chaired the department for seven years. At Villanova, he wrote three textbooks for the American Management Association Continuing Education Program.

After retiring in 1991, Professor Chorba taught students in Slovakia, where his parents had grown up, and delivered clothing and gifts and raised money for needy children at the Piarist School in Kentucky. He was an altar server, lector and eucharistic minister at Our Mother of Sorrows Church in Bridgeport, and was an officer and newsletter editor for the Knights of Columbus Council in Bridgeport.

Professor Chorba graduated from St. Nicholas High School in Wilkes-Barre. During World War II. he served in the Army's 21st Weather Squadron and saw action in northern France and the Rhineland. He was awarded the Bronze Star for valor.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree from Villanova and a master's degree in accounting from Temple University. In 1997 he was awarded the St. Thomas of Villanova Alumni Medal.

Professor Chorba was a former bicycling and cross-country-skiing enthusiast and recently enjoyed dancing twice a week, his son Robert said.

In addition, Professor Chorba is survived by another son, George Jr.; a daughter, Elizabeth Willard; a sister; and nine grandchildren. His wife of more than 50 years, Mildred Hazinski Chorba, died in 2000. Their daughter Mary died in 2004.

Friends may call from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Gutkowski Funeral Home, 305 Jefferson St., Swedesburg. A Funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. today at Our Mother of Sorrows Church, Coates Street, Bridgeport. Burial will be in St. Augustine Cemetery, King of Prussia.