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Dr. George Tokodi puts mustache on the line for a cause

Willing to shave for new school roof

MARIETTA — Dr. George Tokodi is willing to part with his mustache of 47 years.

But first, $15,000 must be raised by early February for a new roof at St. Mary Catholic School in Marietta.

Tokodi, a longtime orthopedic surgeon in Marietta and supporter of St. Mary Catholic School, said he will shave his mustache on Feb. 2 at the St. Mary Catholic School Foundation Dinner if the money is raised.

An anonymous donor has pledged to match the $15,000 for a new roof.

Three estimates of between $60,000 and $140,000 for the roof have been received, said St. Mary Catholic School Principal Molly Frye. A decision has not been reached on which bid to accept, but Frye expects the roof to cost between $60,000-$80,000.

The school’s roof is leaking. Repairs have been made, but now it is time for a new roof, Frye said.

The Tokodi family has been very supportive of St. Mary Catholic School, said Frye. “They make life easier for me,” she said. “They are wonderful people.”

George and his wife Chyrl’s daughters Rebecca Soffian and Elizabeth Tokodi-Ruth have children attending St. Mary Catholic School and volunteer at the school.

Tokodi-Ruth, Soffian and their sisters Sarah Tokodi-Stout and Teresa Domico, who both live out of town, all attended St. Mary Catholic School and Parkersburg Catholic High School.

About $5,000-$6,000 has been raised for the roof since the campaign was kicked off a month ago

Donations for the new roof can be made at https://tinyurl.com/yd3bnfk6. Checks should be made payable to St. Mary Catholic School at 320 Marion Street, Marietta, OH 45750. The word “mustache” or “roof” should be written in the memo so the money will be counted to the school roof totals.

Soffian said family members were joking with Dr. Tokodi that his mustache needed a trim. He then said he would shave his mustache if $15,000 was raised for St. Mary school.

Dr. Tokodi noted that he has three grandchildren attending St. Mary Catholic School.

Dr. Tokodi’s mother, Irene Tokodi, who passed away on Oct. 15 at the age of 91, would ask him at times to trim his mustache, he said.

Irene Tokodi passed out fake mustaches at Halloween, the family said.

Dr. Tokodi said he would grow his mustache back if forced to shave on Feb. 2.

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