George Masko, former Pillsbury executive dubbed the father of the Doughboy, dies at 96 In 1965, he tapped Leo Burnett advertising to come up with a mascot, which led to the iconic Poppin Fresh Doughboy. April 10, 2021 5:23pm Text size Copy shortlink:
Before George Masko parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy on D-Day, he emptied his pouch of rations, water and a gas mask and filled it with vials of morphine. A medic in the Army s 82nd Airborne Division, Masko chose to forgo his own supplies in favor of stockpiling medicine he knew wounded soldiers would need.
That single moment was reflective of the life George Masko would lead. Family members say he always put the needs of others first. And when it came time for him to be honored for his accomplishments, he turned the attention away from himself and credited those who had helped him.