NORWAY – George D. Phinney Jr., 87, passed away peacefully April 24, 2010, surrounded by loving family members at Stephen’s Memorial Hospital. George was born April 20, 1923, in Bangor, to George Sr. and Millie Speight Phinney of Saint John, New Brunswick. He spent his youth in Canada until World War II, when he traveled the world while serving in the U.S. Merchant Marines. George and his wife, Kaye, lived in Massachusetts until 1979, when they moved to Bangor and stayed there until coming to Norway in 2003. Exceptionally well-read and versed in many subjects, George was often involved in all different kinds of projects and business collaborations, while also spending a lot of his time on the road working as a lab courier and sales/delivery person for outdoor hunting and fishing products and the Maine Sportsman newspaper. Prior to that he was a retail manager and businessman in Massachusetts. In his “retirement years,” George spent the majority of his time volunteering for charities, including more than 15 years delivering for Meals on Wheels, working at the Alpha Omega gift shop, Norway, and wrapping and distributing holiday gift donations with the Sharing Sleigh charity program. George enthralled audiences young and old with the colorful stories of his life, which he could recall down to the smallest detail. He was a great animal lover and enjoyed feeding all sorts of wildlife in his backyard woods. George’s friendly, upbeat nature and dry sense of rumor made it nearly impossible to speak with him without smiling or laughing. George was predeceased by his dear wife, Kaye, in 2007. He is survived by his daughter, Ellen; “adopted” daughter, Sally; “adopted” son, Mike; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends, who will all miss him dearly. Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation and memorial service 10 a.m.-noon Tuesday, April 17, at Oxford Hills Funeral Services, 1037 Main St., Oxford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George’s memory to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Road, Fryeburg, ME 04031. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordfuneralservices.com.
GEORGE D. PHINNEY
