George Vass, 93, of Morton Grove, IL, died on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. He was born in Leipzig, Germany, as a Hungarian citizen on March 27, 1927, to Aloysius and Minna (Blankfield) Vass.
After moving to the United States in 1935, George attended public school in Springfield, IL, graduating from Springfield High School in 1945. He then served in the United States Army for two years. Upon return, he graduated from Washington University in 1950 and received a master’s degree in Journalism from Northwestern University in 1952.
In 1951, George married Theresa Miller, who preceded him in death in 1977. In 1979, he married Joyce Penner, who preceded him in death in 1995. Also preceding him in death were his parents and three brothers: Charles, Samuel and John.
George was managing editor of the National Jewish Post and Opinion from 1935-55, then was an editor and executive sports editor at the Rockford Register Republic from 1955-58. He was a sportswriter at the Chicago Daily News (1958-78; he was the baseball beat writer from 1965-78 and also covered the Bulls and Blackhawks) and Chicago Sun-Times (1979-94).
Upon his retirement from newspaper work, he continued to write books and contribute monthly pieces to Baseball Digest. He also contributed to Hockey Digest. He has written over a dozen books on sports subjects, as well as two historical novels, including Tiberius and Our Norman Slander’d King. George was a devoted and loving father and grandfather.
George is survived by two daughters: Sherry (Vince) Winkler and Cindy (John) Savio; two sons: Kurt (Suzy) Penner and Arnie (Beth) Penner; 10 grandchildren: James (Matt Raskin) Winkler, Tony Savio, Michelle (Mike) Talian, Jack (Sarah Brooks) Savio, Brittany Bennett, Nicolette (Taylor) Cross, Katie Penner, Luke Penner, Kyle Penner and Maggie Penner; and one brother, Joseph Vass.