Deceased January 4, 2022

View alumni profile (log in required)
Read obituary


In Memory

George passed away on Jan. 4. He graduated from Ithaca High School, where he was a student government officer, tennis player and all-star quarterback. Later, he played semi-pro football. George graduated cum laude from Amherst, where he played quarterback on the football team and rowed on the heavyweight crew. He received an LL.B. from Cornell University and an LL.M. in antitrust law from the University of Michigan.

George worked for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., and then in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. He had a law practice for more than 40 years and was an adjunct instructor in business law at Onondaga Community College. He was active in the Greater Manlius Chamber of Commerce, Steuben County Historical Society, Arts Center of Yates County, Finger Lakes Chamber Music Festival, South-Side Business Association, Onondaga Kiwanis Club of Syracuse, Town of Lake George Comprehensive Plan Committee and Committee to Preserve the Finger Lakes. George volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and was a sponsor and worker at the Winter Special Olympics. He was a congregant and later a deacon at Onondaga Hill Presbyterian Church. He helped coach his son Jim’s football, baseball and basketball teams, along with assisting his Boy Scout troop. After retiring, he wrote four books, including The Dried Earth, What Happened to Our Water and A Boy Named Martin.

George was a lifetime learner, studying Spanish with his wife, history (especially World War II), genealogy and scientific advances. He and his wife, Ann, were fortunate to travel around Europe and to New Zealand and Australia to visit a Michigan Law School classmate. He also enjoyed traveling to visit Amherst classmates, including Rob Goutell ’57 and Bill Patrick ’57.

George is survived by wife Ann, son James and two grandsons.

James L. Mathewson