Sometimes you meet a person and you just make a connection. You feel as if you’ve known that person much longer than just a few brief encounters. Such was the effect that Dr. George England had on people.
George had become a recent member of River City Wild Ones and I came to know him after the Roselle Park workday. I called and asked him if he would be willing to volunteer to work at our plant sale and he readily accepted. Thank you, George.
We had our volunteer training session for the event on July 11th and some of our group went to Brewery Vivant afterwards for a little food, drink and “volunteer bonding”. ?I sat across the table from George and he shared some of his life stories in his buttery smooth southern accent. I learned that his wife had died a year earlier and he was still learning to cope with the loss. He had done a part of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain to help him heal and collect his thoughts. As we talked he was interrupted several times by hugs and handshakes from the Brewery Vivant staff. George lived in the neighborhood and had become a “mug clubber” there. ?It was evident that I wasn’t the only one who connected with George! After a nice meal we went to pay the bill and discovered that it had been taken care of. Thank you, George.
The next week when the plant sale rolled around, I was surprised and a bit worried to find that George was not there. I never expected to be reading his obituary a few days later! So, it is with a heavy heart that we now say goodbye. Rest in peace, dear friend. We will miss your gentle spirit and will always remember your kindness and willingness to serve. ?Thank you, George!
If you knew George and have a memory to share, please do so.