George Masko

Masko, George Passed away peacefully on March 26th, 2021 at the age of 96 at his Biltmore home in Phoenix, Arizona. He is survived by his wife Lucille, son Marshall (Susie), daughter Melissa (Michael) and five grandchildren: Alexandra, Caroline, Morgan, Megan and Micaela. Predeceased by his beloved daughter Mary Beth and brothers Michael, Andrew, & John, and sister Mary. He was a veteran of World War II, entering service in December, 1942 at Fort Bragg, NC. He served as a Medic in the 82nd Airborne Division and participated in various crucial missions including: the invasion of Holland, parachuting in before dawn at Normandy on D-Day, June 7, 1944, and the invasion of Germany in the Battle of the Bulge. He also participated in the liberation of the Wobbelin Concentration Camp and the subsequent occupation of Berlin; for this he was decorated and discharged in June, 1945. Always a champion of education, after the war he made the decision to get his college degree over playing Major League Baseball, despite being drafted by the Chicago White Sox. He received his BA in Business from The University of Minnesota and a Master's from Stanford University's Executive Management Program. George was formerly Executive Vice President of Pillsbury and President of Refrigerated Foods. He built, managed and led this important business division from a small startup into the leading profit center for Pillsbury. In 1965, he commissioned Leo Burnett Advertising to create the iconic Doughboy figure that came to represent the entire Pillsbury Company. He also established Pillsbury's African American Basketball Scholarship Program for inner city youth interested in careers in Business. In his retirement he was a Professor at the University St. Thomas in the MBA Program. George set an example for all of us with his leadership, generosity, modesty, and forward thinking. He was a devoted family man, a great mentor and touched the lives of many. He will be very much missed by his wife, family and friends. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 3rd 12:30 PM at The David Lee Funeral Home in Wayzata, followed by the burial at Groveland Cemetery in Minnetonka.

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