STRUTHERS Tree stands in memory of couple's aid to cops

Many police officers lived in apartments owned by George and Sophie Voytilla.
By MARALINE KUBIK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
STRUTHERS -- The city police department recently dedicated a tree to honor the memory of two longtime residents who police say helped many young officers start their careers here.
George and Sophie Voytilla owned a building across the street from city hall that houses businesses on the ground floor and residential apartments on the second floor, explained Patrolman Tom Granchie.
"The city has a residency requirement," Granchie continued, "and the Voytillas always made their apartments available to the officers who were just starting out at an affordable amount. At least seven of us have lived there. I lived there five years."
Caring memories
The Voytillas began leasing apartments to officers in the mid-1970s, he said. Tom Skovira, now a police captain, was one of the first officers to live there.
"When I first got my job, I moved down there, and it was opportune for me because it's right across from the police station and the rent was nominal," Skovira recalls.
"I was a 23-year-old kid, and Sophie brought me food; she'd treat me just like she was my mother. George and Sophie were just very caring and giving people. They even remembered my birthday," Skovira continued. "I remember once, George hit my car with a snowplow. It was an old yellow Chevy. He stopped plowing and came right up and told me he hit my car and wanted to give me money right then. I wasn't even going to fix it.
"Kinder people you'll have a hard time to find," he said. "They are sadly missed."
Skovira said he leased an apartment from the Voytillas for five or six years.
Memorial plans
When George died last winter, "we wanted to do something to honor him, something that would last longer than a flower arrangement," said Dan Lamping, a part-time patrolman who organized the dedication.
"We decided to plant a tree, but we couldn't do it then because it was the middle of winter," Lamping said.
Almost constant rain postponed the tree planting and dedication this spring, Granchie added, "so when Sophie died a couple of weeks ago, we decided to honor them both."
Officers planted a 6-foot tall Washington Hawthorn in front of city hall Monday with members of the Voytilla family present.
"Now, whenever we look out and see the tree, we can think of the Voytillas," Granchie added.
The tree has red leaves and white flower blossoms in early summer.
kubik@vindy.com