Matthew William "Bill" Georges
March 21, 2017Share using:
Matthew William (Bill) Georges, 93, of Dover died Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at home following a brief illness.
Born in Gary, Indiana, he graduated from Emerson High School and Purdue University with a degree in Physical Education. He married his high school sweetheart, Helen in 1948, and they shared life together for more than sixty years. They had a “good ride” he used to say after she passed away in 2008
Bill was an Army veteran, serving from 1943-1946 during World War II in the 11th Armored Division, after which he began a 35 year career with the YMCA. He worked at YMCA positions in Waterbury, CT, Pittsburgh, PA, Newark, NJ, Dover, DE and Woonsocket, RI. Under his leadership as Executive Director of the Dover YMCA, in conjunction with local community leaders, the YMCA on South State Street was built.
He began his second career at about the age of 55, when he became a professional fundraiser with Ward, Dreshman and Reinhardt. He and Helen traveled the country together on assignments raising money for non-profits and churches including the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He continued fundraising privately after retiring from WD & R, raising money for his college fraternity, Theta Tau, at Purdue University, well into his 80’s. They named the fraternity dining hall after him in gratitude.
He is survived by his four children: Linda Burdick and William J. Georges of Dover, Janet Lacey of Roswell, GA, and Joyce Giguere of North Smithfield, RI as well as ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was a loving husband and father and a role model of integrity and human kindness; he will be missed.
A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in the summer. Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.
