George V. Famiglio, lawyer, decorated veteran

George V. Famiglio, 91, of Broomall, a lawyer and decorated World War II veteran, died Saturday, April 23, in hospice care at Freedom Village, West Brandywine.

Mr. Famiglio grew up in South Philadelphia. He graduated at 16 from Central High School and attended Temple University on an academic scholarship. In high school and college, he was a master chess player and a debater. He held part-time jobs to help support his family and, while in college and after graduating, taught chemistry at Central.

During World War II, Mr. Famiglio served in the Army Air Forces in the Pacific. He was a navigator and bombardier on B-29s, flying missions over Japan, and received an Air Medal with four oak-leaf clusters and a Distinguished Flying Cross. He formed lasting bonds with his flight crew, his son Mark said, and attended reunions of the 73d Bomb Wing Association.

After his discharge, Mr. Famiglio earned a law degree from Temple in 1949 and established an office on South Broad Street, where he practiced for 50 years. Many of his clients were from the neighborhood, and sometimes his fee was a basket of tomatoes, his son said.

His personal-injury cases included those involving plaintiffs who were beaten by police officers. He was compassionate toward law enforcers, his son said, but was disturbed by the abuse of power.

Mr. Famiglio was a bibliophile who was fascinated with the origins of words. He encouraged his eight children to pursue college and postgraduate studies.

He married Linda Del Monte Famiglio in 1950. They relished time spent with family at their homes in Ocean City, N.J., and Sarasota, Fla.

Besides his wife and son, Mr. Famiglio is survived by sons George, Robert, Peter, Bruce, Gregory, and James; a daughter, Linda Hosey; two sisters; 13 grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

A funeral will be at noon Wednesday, April 27, at Frank C. Videon Funeral Home, 2001 Sproul Rd., Broomall. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Marple Township.

Donations may be made to the 73d Bomb Wing Association, Box 100, Benton, Kan. 67017-0100.