GEORGE MICHAEL STERRIS

WHIPPANY, N.J. and STOCKHOLM – George Michael Sterris 79, died unexpectedly Feb. 15, 2004, of natural causes. George was born in West New York, N.J. to Michael and Stella (Archondithis) Sterris. At age four he moved to White Plains, N.Y., where he was raised, graduating from White Plains High School. Shortly after graduating he entered the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving during World War II. He later served in the Marine Corps Reserves. During his service in the Air Corps, George met and married Anna Carlson of Stockholm. George and Anna had been married 60 years. After discharge from the service, they made their home in Whippany, N.J., where they lived for 51 years. Following his military service, while raising a family and working full-time, George went on to receive a B.A. from Rutgers University followed by a teacher education and certification certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a M.A. in personnel and guidance from Seton Hall University, all in New Jersey. George worked for 45 years at SGA Scientific Inc., Bloomfield, N.J., ultimately serving as the general manager until his retirement in 1987. He was an active Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Bloomfield, N.J. and a past member of Bloomfield, ME, Chamber of Commerce and the Personnel Managers Club of Bloomfield, N.J. In 1975, his Rotary Club selected him as a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of his substantial civic service. Every summer George and his wife, Anna returned to Stockholm to the family farm. In 1988 and 1989, George built a log home on their Stockholm farm with his brother and his son, David. George was a skilled woodworker who created many pieces of beauty cherished by his family. He loved the outdoors, especially northern Maine, and appreciated each flower, bird, deer, moose and bear he could spot. He fished the Big and Little Armstrong Brooks and other streams for brook trout for more than 50 years. He also participated in multiple fast-pitch softball and basketball leagues for most of his life, and bowled in the Rotary bowling league until 2003. George traveled with his family to Greece, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, and Egypt. Many car and plane trips were undertaken to visit family in California and to explore the United States, visiting nearly every national park in the country. George especially loved his family. He was predeceased by his daughter, Michael Jane (Sterris) Littell. He is survived by his wife, Anna; his sister, Hella Bortugno of California; his son, David George Sterris of Stockholm; four grandsons, David and Penny Littell of Portland, Marc and Kim Littell of Norwalk, Conn., Michael Sterris of Portland, and Lucas Sterris of Stockholm; three great-granddaughters, Alexandra, Brickley and Georgia Littell, the last of whom is named after him; several nieces, nephews and cousins. George will be forever loved and missed by his family and all who knew him. The pleasure of his company is irreplaceable and the world is diminished by his passing. A memorial service will be held in the spring in Stockholm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stockholm Historical Society, Main St., Stockholm, ME 04783 or to the Rotary Foundation in care of District 7470, P.O. Box 161, Bloomfield, N.J., 07003.