Daniel George

Daniel George, 95, beloved husband of 68 years to Helen Barsam George, entered eternal life peacefully on April 30, 2021. Daniel and Helen George lived for many years in West Hartford before moving to Farmington. Daniel was an accomplished and multi-talented man. First and foremost a devoted husband, father and grandfather but also a WWII veteran, Mason, tenor soloist, National Historic Artisan, company president, and champion swimmer/diver. He was born the eldest son of Lazar George and Esther Shafer George in Hartford, CT on December 7, 1925. After his mother passed when he was 5, for some years he and his brother, Thomas, were raised by his father’s mother Kana George whom they adored. At an early age he studied voice at Central Baptist Church while also mastering backstroke and diving. After graduating from Hall High School in 1944 he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Daniel served on B-29 bombers as a turret gunner (Central Fire Controller), and then sang as a chaplain’s assistant to military personnel. Leaving for the service was the only time he saw his father cry. As a tenor soloist he studied at Tanglewood under Serge Koussevitzky and Leonard Bernstein and studied privately with voice coaches Ruth Eckberg (Springfield), and Muriel Ainley (West Hartford). He sang with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Winograd as a tenor soloist in many productions including Handel’s “Messiah” and Beethoven’s Ninth. Of Daniel’s performance of the “Messiah,” The Hartford Courant Critic George W. Stowe (reviewed Dec. 14, 1964) wrote: “Daniel George…gave the best account of this music from a local soloist I have ever heard…smoothly negotiated….excitingly done.” He also soloed with the New Britain Symphony, the Pioneer Valley Symphony and at Temple Beth Israel Synagogue (never forgetting his mother’s Jewish faith and love). Subsequently, Daniel sang in several Hartford area churches as a professional lead tenor. In 1950, after his military service, he received a B.A. degree in biology from American International College in Springfield, MA. Ultimately, he followed in his father’s footsteps as painter and decorator. His skill and attention to detail led him to form Daniel George, Inc. where he perfected gold leafing, trompe l’oeil, faux finishes, marbleizing and stenciling techniques. You will find many examples of Daniel George’s restoration skill and original designs in numerous churches, museums and some of the finest historical homes in Connecticut. His work spans such landmarks as the Connecticut State Library, the Raymond E. Baldwin Museum, the Connecticut Supreme Court and Hartford’s Isham-Terry House. His gold leaf work can also be found adorning the Eagle in the State Legislative Office Building’s atrium. For his work as a Registered National Historical Artisan he was honored by then-Governor William A. O’Neill. He was known as the finest church restoration specialist in the area. His stunning artistry is on display in Hartford at Christ Church Cathedral, Asylum Hill, Center Church, South Congregational, United Methodist, as well as First Church West Hartford, the Old Lyme Congregational Church and many others. After most restorations he would sing at the dedication of his work. His talents took him to the palaces of Dubai, U.A.E, to work and mentor aspiring artisans. He was honored to gold leaf the Pope’s chair for his 1995 visit to the U.S. A June 13, 1996 Hartford Courant article highlights his professional accomplishments. A 70-year member of the Masons and a past master of Wyllys-St. John’s Masonic Lodge No.4, Daniel earned numerous degrees. His memberships included the Scottish Rite and York Rite of Hartford (32 degree); Hartford Washington Commandry; Pythagoras Chapter, East Hartford; AASR Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Valley of Hartford and he received the prestigious Meritorious Service Award (MSA). He was the soloist for the Scottish Rite, with a beautiful rendition of The Rose of Sharon. Even into his 60’s Daniel was a skilled diver, perfectly executing dives--backflips and forward 1 ½ somersaults with a twist—to the delight of pool visitors who stopped in their tracks just to watch. He swam the backstroke twice weekly at Cornerstone Pool until he turned 89. Daniel was a faith-filled Christian, a member of First Church West Hartford and proud Assyrian who was predeceased by his parents, a stepmother (Hannah), a half-brother (Benjamin Myron) and his brother Thomas S. George whom he missed dearly after his passing. Besides his wife Helen who took loving care of Dan in his final years, he leaves four children and 10 grandchildren: daughter Claudia Skarvinko of Ponte Vedra, FL and her children Larissa and Stephen; son Dr. Daniel P. George and his wife Christine of Longmeadow, Mass and their children Elizabeth, Thomas, Danielle, Rebecca, Eve and Michelle; son Justin B. George and his wife Alison of South Windsor, CT and their children Sarah and Jason; and son Matthew George of Grafton, New Hampshire. He also leaves a close sister June Aziz and her husband Emhart of Wethersfield; a half-brother (James); his sister-in-law Shamaram George (wife of Thomas) of Farmington, CT; and his nieces and nephews. Daniel was especially proud of all the accomplishments of his children, and grandchildren, collecting hats and mugs of their colleges and recording all their birthdays and graduations in his black book. We will miss his big presence at holiday gatherings, including the Annual Bowling Party. As we reflect on our love for him, we remember his love of travel (being baptized in the Dead Sea; visiting National Parks), watching sports, daily Boston Cream donuts, tea and lemons…and salt… and his special touch of writing letters. A private family burial was held on May 6 due to Covid-19 concerns. A memorial service will be held Friday, July 9 at 3 pm in the Meeting House of the First Church of Christ Congregational, 12 S. Main St. West Hartford. Due to Convid concerns here is the preregistration link for the service (http://bit.ly/DanielGeorgeService) offered by the church. Walk-ins will also be welcomed. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital (https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/donate). To extend condolences, please visit MolloyFuneralHome.com.