Bulgarian emigre became church restoration artist
George Nedelkov waited 23 years to taste a Hershey’s chocolate bar. For the young man who grew up in, and eventually fled from, communist Bulgaria, it represented the sweet taste of freedom.
“He came to the U.S. when he was 23 years old, and the first thing he wanted was a Hershey’s chocolate bar,” said his friend Jessica Krchmar, who, with her husband, Timothy, shared their Center Township home in Beaver County with Mr. Nedelkov. “It was his goal to get to the United States, and he’d finally made it.”
Mr. Nedelkov made his living as a restoration artist, painter and iconographer for Orthodox and Byzantine churches throughout the Eastern and Midwestern U.S., including St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead.
“George was a very popular and beloved figure within our Diocese,” said Father R. Michael Zak, pastor at St. Nicholas. “He’s done extensive work at many churches and was a very talented iconographer and artist.”
Mr. Nedelkov died in his sleep at the apartment that the Krchmars built for him in their home on July 31. He was 92.
As a boy growing up in Bulgaria, Mr. Nedelkov worked at a bakery, which helped him support and feed his family.
When he was about 18 years old, Mr. Nedelkov told his family he was going out to lunch.
“Instead, he and five friends escaped Bulgaria by boat for Greece,” Mrs. Krchmar said.
Dehydrated and seasick, the group made it to Greece, where officials deported them to Napoli, Italy.
“He was sent to a camp in Italy where he learned Italian and worked in a kitchen so he would have access to food,” Mrs. Krchmar said.
Mr. Nedelkov immigrated to New York City several years later and found work at an Italian restaurant, thanks to his language skills.
“He got a job washing dishes because he could speak Italian,” she said.
Once he and some of his friends were in America, they moved to Florida and began painting houses and working for contractors, Mrs. Krchmar said.
“That’s how he learned to paint,” she said.
His career as an artist and iconographer began with a chance meeting with the head of the Johnstown, Pa.based American CarpathoRussian Orthodox Diocese.
“Somehow he ended up in the Pittsburgh area and got introduced to the bishop of our diocese and he asked George to paint some churches,” Mrs. Krchmar said.
Mr. Nedelkov was further helped by Father Stephen Dutko in Binghamton, N.Y., who introduced him to colleagues and secured him jobs.
Mr. Nedelkov’s rates were more reasonable than area contractors and the advanced skill he exhibited was unexpected, Mrs. Krchmar said.
“Priests started seeking him out because they heard he was giving such a good deal,” she said. “He just gave it 300% and gave it his whole body and soul. When he walked into a church, he just took charge and knew what needed to be done.”
Soon, Mr. Nedelkov expanded his repertoire to include restoration of icons, artwork and other fixtures in the colorful churches.
A self-taught artist who learned through trial and error, he also painted frescoes, angels on the ceiling, banners and scroll work with unparalleled talent, Mrs. Krchmar said.
“His name got around very quickly and people would invite him to stay with them while he did their church,” she said. “He was a one-man show and he was always busy. He was in demand and he loved to travel and make friends.”
“All of the priests and their families just loved him, especially the children,” Father Zak said. “He had a way about him, almost like a Pied Piper. He would tell them stories, and he was also a very prayerful man.”
Father Zak met Mr. Nedelkov shortly after his ordination in 1972 at an Orthodox church in Warren, Ohio.
“I was just fascinated by the man. He always had the light of Christ shining in his face,” he recalled. “He was always beaming.”
Even in his 80s, Mr. Nedelkov was still very much in demand, climbing ladders and scaffolding — which he set up by himself.
He reluctantly retired in recent years, said Mrs. Krchmar, who met Mr. Nedelkov through her parents and grandparents.
“He was a pseudo-grandfather to me,” she said. “I loved hearing his stories and his adventures.”
At home, he cherished his independence and loved helping to care for the family dogs, she said.
“George had a very soft spot for our dogs,” she said. “That really engulfed him and made him feel important. He was living his life until his last breath — he was still very independent, cooking and cleaning. We built an apartment for him in our basement and everything was there that George needed.
“He lived how he wanted to live and he died how he wanted to die. He didn’t suffer, and he was at home, where he wanted to be.”
His funeral was Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, 903 Ann St., Homestead, Pa. 15120.