Obituary of George Merrill Hart

After a long hard fight with cancer, George left this world for a better place on Christmas Eve, December 24^th, 2023, at his home with his wife by his side. George was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital on January 1, 1940; the first baby of the New Year.  He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Lois; son Derick Merrill Hart of Elmira with his children, Riley Merrill and Abigail Elizabeth; daughter Michelle Leigh Crowley, Esq. of Penfield, NY and her husband Thomas M. Crowley with their children, Colin Thomas, Torin Elizabeth and Aubrin Grace; cousins, Scott and Nancy Merrill of Florida, John and Nancy Merrill of Connecticut, Linda and Thomas Mansfield of Vermont and their extended families; best friends of 60 years, Leah “Beth” and Philip Siskin of West Palm Beach, Fl. George was predeceased by his parents Donald Hillyard Hart and Ellen Elizabeth Hart, uncles and aunts, W. Kenneth and Frances Merrill, G. Leonard and Marion Merrill; grandparents Athel D. and Mary G. Merrill; Josiah and Margaret Hart.

George attended No. 11 Elementary School in Elmira and also St. John’s in Ithaca. He attended Boynton Jr. High, graduated from Ithaca High School in 1958 and continued his education at Ithaca College. The family home on Keuka Lake was where George spent his summers, eventually becoming a counselor at Camp Cory. In his youth, he was an avid weightlifter, winning a state championship for his weight class. George entered the U.S. Navy in 1959 as a radarman. He served with Navy Special Forces Under Water Demolition Team and was proud to serve on the USS Little Rock, the first ship to operate in the Mediterranean armed with Talos surface-to-air missiles.  George loved sharing stories about his training in the UDT including swimming for miles at a time in the ocean at night. After five years of service in the military, George joined Werdenberg’s Men’s Clothing Store, a store which his family owned for 75 years in downtown Elmira. He held positions including Manager and Buyer for the boy’s department, Secretary, Treasurer and ultimately Vice President of Werdenberg’s Inc. After Werdenberg’s closed in 1972, George followed his love for the outdoors and became employed at the Chemung County Highway Department then went to the Town of Elmira Highway Department where he became Foreman for the west end. George retired from the Buildings and Grounds for the Town, where the town park was always in pristine condition, after serving 33 years.

 Along with his friend Charles “Bud” Miller, George enjoyed serving on the Chemung County Traffic Safety Board, where he was Vice Chairman from 1978 to 1982.  He served on many campaigns in a leadership capacity for the United Way and also for the National Soaring Museum.  He served on the Executive Board of Directors of the Sullivan Trail Boy Scout Council and the Elmira Junior Association of Commerce. He was also a member of the Elmira Rotary Club from 1972-1977, serving his last year as Sergeant of Arms. George was a member of the Jaycees of Chemung County and was the District II Chairman of the United Community Services of Chemung County in 1976. George enjoyed serving 33 years as a volunteer fireman for the West Elmira Fire Department, attending numerous training courses and achieving lifetime status. 

George was very proud of his children and was a doting grandpa to his grandchildren. He enjoyed making people laugh with his quick wit. He was highly organized and had an “emergency plan” for everything. George was a gifted craftsman and artist and could do anything he set his mind to. He truly enjoyed watching the Nascar races, “The Pickers” and the History Channel, and was an avid reader. George will be sorely missed by all who loved and admired him.

Services for George will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at McInerny Funeral Home, 502 W. Water Street, Elmira.  Calling hours will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, followed by a funeral service at 12:00 noon.  Military honors will be held at the conclusion of the funeral service.  Interment will take place at a later date.

Those wishing may remember George with a donation to either the West Elmira Volunteer Fire Department, 1299 W Water Street, Elmira NY 14905 or the Falck Cancer Center, 600 Roe Avenue, Elmira NY 14905.