Dear Valerie, Barbara and I were so sad to learn of George’s unexpected passing. We send you our heartfelt condolences. I first met George in September of 1961 in a De La Salle Christian Brothers House of Studies in Troy, New York. We were part of a group of about forty young men aspiring to dedicate our lives to a religious order dedicated to the teaching of the poor gratuitously. As a group we came of age together during the early days of Vatican I I and when the Civil Rights Movement was coming into its own. In those days of great social change, there were many differences of opinion floating among us about all the changes that were brewing in our Church and our country. I always liked and respected George. He had heartfelt, but level headed opinions about the social ferment taking place all around us. His very logical way of expressing his opinions seemed so balanced. That was not surprising since he was one of hardest working students among us. He never got sidetracked from his goal of being a one hundred percent dedicated student which was exactly what was expected of us in a teaching order. When George’s opinions couldn’t prevail through logic, he would often step aside with a detached dry humorous comment. During those early days, I enjoyed George’s company and dry humor. Our friendship, as it turned out, lasted for a life time. After George left the Christian Brothers, we went in separate directions and we lost touch with each other for a while. One Sunday afternoon, while I was walking through Manhattan, I wandered for my first time into the New York Public Library shortly before closing time. As they were locking up the building, there was George leaving with an old fashioned school bag filled to the brim with library books. He was the same dedicated student working on his doctorate in history at the City University Graduate School. George achieved his passion at teaching in a college which turned out to be at Fordham University. In the end, it didn’t become his life’s work as he segued into the corporate world. His primary interest in life shifted into being a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Towards the end of his career which I think was at Olympus, he would sometimes stop by my house on his way home from work. On several occasions he came with Valerie. He and Valerie would talk affectionately about their family. It was clear they were everything to them. He was still the same George who was still able to bring heart and mind to the pressing issues of the day, always balancing logic with compassion. I was not surprised to read in his obituary that he was active in volunteering in a food pantry, I will not use the Anglo Saxon good bye or farewell to George as my final respects, but rather I will go with the French “ au revoir” - until we meet again. You are in the Lord’s care now George , and I believe that you can now see more clearly , what those of us left behind, at best, only see “ through a glass darkly.” Our prayers are with you and Valerie. Peter and Barbara Cooney

My condolences to Valerie and Family.

We are so sorry to hear about George's passing. He was a wonderful individual and I always loved talking with him. He was knowledgeable on so many topics. Valerie you were so blessed with him as a love for a lifetime and you worked well together in your adventures and passions. Our deepest sympathy and prayers to the whole family and we will keep you all in our prayers. Love, Mike and Sue

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.