The first of his family to attend college, George graduated from Seton Hall in 1963. Inspired by the international focus of the Kennedy Administration, he joined the Peace Corps and served in Panama from 1963 to 1966, where he developed what would become a lifelong interest the influence of culture, politics and economics on international development.

In his 40-year career, Mr. Laudato opened US Agency for International Development (USAID) missions in Yemen and Nicaragua, managed the United States' largest foreign aid mission in Egypt, and later served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Asia and the Middle East under the Clinton Administration and then Acting Administrator for the Bureau for Asia and the Near East during the Bush and Obama administrations.

After retiring in 2011, Mr. Laudato served on the Board of Seton Hall's School of Diplomacy, as an advisor to Arizona State University, and on the Board of the non-profit Aid to Artisans.

He is survived by his wife Janna; two brothers; two sons and daughters-in-law;  and two grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the George Laudato National Security Fellowship Endowment, Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and International Relations, 457 Center Street, South Orange, NJ 07079.

A memorial mass and reception was held on October 18, 2022.