NORTH NORWICH – George H. Matthews, 80, of North Norwich, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011, at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich.
He was born July 12, 1931, son of the late George E. and Marion (Rosa) Matthews in Margaretville.
George worked as a standardizer for Sheffield Dairies, Bloomville, was a plant manager and inspector for Sealtest and National Dairy for many years and later was employed as a Fire Marshal for Procter and Gamble Pharmaceutical Company of Norwich, until his retirement after 27 years.
He was a National Fire Protection Committee Member for many years and inspected and wrote fire codes for federal regulations.
Raised in Bloomville, he graduated in 1951, from South Kortright Central School and was an outstanding athlete. George served in the Korean War with the United States Marine Corps from May 1952 to May 1954, as a Marine Corporal in the Third Marine Air Wing.
He was a fire chief, an Elk and Legion member. He enjoyed watching sporting events on television and was a big fan of the New York Yankees baseball team.
He never missed his grandchildren’s sporting events playing for Unadilla Valley High School. He was an avid deer hunter and fisherman.
George is survived by his four daughters, Debra Matthews of Felton, Del., Diane Eccleston, Oneonta, Vicki and William Wright of Frederica, Del., and Tina and John Parks Jr. of New Berlin; a stepdaughter, Penny Jones and son, Wade of Holmesville; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a brother, Gary Matthews of Bloomville.
He was predeceased by a grandson, David Scott Eccleston in 1992.
Graveside funeral services will be held in Riverside Cemetery, Bloomville, at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Rev. Mark DelGiudice officiating. Military honors will follow. There will be no calling hours.
Contributions in his memory may be made to SPCA, East River Road, Norwich, NY 13815.
Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi. Online condolences may be sent to www.macarthurfh.com.