George C. Dunbar “Chris”, 73, of Ventura, CA passed away at home in the loving care of his wife, MaryBeth and sister-in-law, Nancy Shalala, on September 13, 2020, after a brave battle with lung cancer.
Chris was born in Santa Monica, CA to William Dunbar and Zephyr Vartikian in Sept 1946. He spent his childhood in Manhattan Beach, CA before moving to Thousand Oaks in 1960 where he was a member of the first graduating class of TO High School in 1964. Chris was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne and, upon discharge, entered Moorpark College in the fall of 1968. He eventually settled in the Bay Area where he met his wife of 39 years, MaryBeth Shalala. Chris is survived by his wife, his sister Rory Safreed (Bob) and their two sons, Willie and Steven, his brother Mark, his son Jodin and grandson Gavin, his godchildren Michael Gibson, Katie and Dan McGuire. In addition, he was extremely close to his wife’s siblings and many of his nieces and nephews were like his own children. Chris’s passing will also be mourned by his many friends in the Bay Area, Southern California and across the country.
Chris was a humble genius. Usually the smartest man in the room, he was witty, kind and gently generous with his talents. He really thought it was no big deal to build his own classical guitar and then play it masterfully. Discussing philosophy with a stranger in self-taught Spanish was as natural as breathing.Chris did not just learn new skills, he absorbed and mastered them. Always willing to share his experience and skills with others, Chris enhanced the life of every person he met.
Among his many other accomplishments, Chris’s mechanical abilities were highlighted in his restoration work on the Children’s Carousel in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. His inventive and clever carpentry and crew management on a difficult seismic upgrade to San Francisco’s Candlestick Ballpark, finished just prior to the 1989 World Series, prevented hundreds of injuries when the Loma Prieta earthquake hit at the start of Game Three. His work with concrete, stone, and wood is abundantly displayed in buildings and homes in every area that he lived and worked. His artistic style and magnificent custom cabinetry work adorns his home and the homes of many grateful homeowners.
Chris’s family and friends are invited to celebrate his life and memory at a Zoom Memorial. There will be a slideshow of photographs and words shared by family and friends. Details to follow. A memorial stone/bench in honor of Chris is being planned at Ventura Botanical Gardens.You can honor Chris’s memory by making a tax deductible donation to "The George Chris Dunbar Memorial Fund” in care of Ventura Botanical Gardens, P.O. Box 3127, Ventura, CA 93006-3127 or follow the donation link below.
Rest in Peace, Beloved
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About |
|---|---|
| Name | George "Chris" Dunbar |
| Date of Birth | September 21st, 1946 |
| Date of Death | September 13th, 2020 |
| Home Town | Ventura, CA, US |
| In Memoriam Donation | George Chris Dunbar Memorial Fund (Ventura Botanical Gardens) |
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published a tribute .
Chris and Billy were amazing friends since high school. Chris told me the first time he went to Billy‘s house was with Bob, Billy‘s older brother but he liked Billy more and they became friends. Chris was a wonderful friend before and after Bill died and always loved and supported us till the end. When he got out of the hospital shortly before he passed he spent time with my son teaching him how to use the lathe he wanted Ken to have. gratefully Kenny videotaped him and it’s a wonderful tribute to the skills and knowledge Chris had about so many things. I will miss you my friend love you lots
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What a beautiful tribute to your dear friend. Love the pic of you with with your arms around your angels.
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Thanks Suzanne. I would love it Kenny posted that video. I didn't realize he filmed it.
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I had a crush on his sister, Rory, when I attended T.O. High. Their mother was the coolest mom ever. I do miss those days. I also remember the cool bomb shelter they had in their back yard. I'm [email protected]. I'm Michael R
Thank you for sharing your memories, Michael! Zephyr was the coolest mother-in-law too! I remember Chris telling me about the bomb shelter he helped him father make. I'll share your memories with Rory, she'll love it!
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published a tribute .
Chris and I worked together at Chapot Construction during the ’80s and ‘90s. Henry and his son Bill Chapot held their company to high standards of workmanship and quality and Chris’s skill and integrity made him a perfect fit. Chris was not so much a carpenter as he was an artist and craftsman who expressed his talent through the building and construction trade. Chris saw every project as a puzzle to be assembled, every problem as an equation to be solved, every challenge as a journey to be completed.
Chris was a genius, but above all else he was a simple, honest and open-minded human being. He brought humility and humor to work with him every day. As a project foreman he was exacting yet personable, he was both boss and friend, he was both teacher and student.
One thing though about Chris at work; he loved lunch.
Once when Chris was helping me on one of my jobs, he asked, “So where’s lunch today?” When I told him I usually just brown-bagged it, he gave me such a look of disappointment. The next day he knew where every good Mexican restaurant was in the area. I never made that mistake with him again. I learned that If you wanted Chris’s help you needed to have more than a construction plan, you needed to have a lunch plan too.
Chris excelled at every project he tackled but two in particular brought to light the depth and brilliance of his talents. One was a study in complexity, the other a challenge of scale.
The first was Chris’s role in the 1984 restoration of the 100-year-old Herschell-Spillman Carousel in the Children’s Playground at Golden Gate Park. This old Merry-Go-Round had been disassembled and the animal jumpers taken off site for restoration. In the round building, gears and rods and levers were scattered everywhere. It was a chaotic pool of parts that seemed to have nothing in common.
Everyone there was lost as to where to even start. Chris was not. He was running around examining gears and pushing pieces together acting just like a kid in a candy shop. Chris poured his heart and soul into that restoration. When it was completed, Henry & Bill Chapot hosted an unveiling party complete with player piano, catered food and period costumes; invitation only for the design and construction crews and their families. During this amazing night Chris jumped on and off as the Carousel spun, introducing and explaining the magic of this apparition from the past.
And he only fell off once.
All of Chris’s jobs were completed logically yet with heart. The seismic upgrade to the Candlestick Park stadium though, was a horse of a different color. Detailed and repetitive work had to be performed over vast areas of the arena and at nearly inaccessible heights making this project unimaginably difficult. For Chris, just another puzzle to be solved. Chris designed rigging and staging that had the project engineers going back to their books. His handling of manpower, material and inspection put the project ahead of schedule. His strong but personable management of crew balanced production with safety. When the Loma Prieta earthquake shook the sold-out ballpark on October 17, 1989 just moments before the start of the third game of the World Series, Chris’s crews had most of the seismic bracing in place holding the old stadium together and preventing thousands of injuries and deaths.
And he did it all without missing lunch.
There’s more to Chris though, than his construction talent. Chris was a loyal friend, a compassionate mentor and a strong role model. When I first met Chris, I had a group of friends that I’d known since grade school. Our friendships were honed in the fires of youth and polished with the shared experiences of young adulthood. I believed then that this depth of friendship could never happen again. I used to feel that as adults we build too many walls and harbor too many prejudices to form such bonds.
But from the start with Chris it was different. I think what made Chris special was that he was a good listener. Chris was always absolutely entranced with what you were saying. He was always actively listening. In Chris, with his open and honest nature, I found a deep and lasting friendship separate from our work and our spouses.
Chris and MB introduced me to Alicia, MB’s best friend. We fell in love, married and Chris & MB became our children’s Godparents. As with all couples, Alicia and I had our rough times and it was Chris’s gentle advice and calm offerings of comfort that reminded me just how sweet & rare true love is.
And that’s really what Chris was all about. He was half Leonardo Di Vinci, half Dalai Lama. And he was always there for his friends and family, calm and sincere.
Chris once confided to me that he sometimes had trouble embracing the God concept. The truth is that in his modesty, Chris did not realize what we all knew. In his every moment of life he manifested all the best aspects of philosophy and religion and God.
Chris, thank you for sharing your life with me. I love you and I’ll miss you beyond expression. Enjoy your lunch, my friend. It’s well deserved.
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Jim, thank you for this wonderful tribute. I'm so glad to have it in writing to cherish forever. It made me laugh and cry. Thank you for being a great friend to both of us. mb
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Dear Mary Beth so sorry for your loss old friend. I was thinking about you and came
across this...
please contact me!
(Big hugs and take care Dory Cohen (Rosenblatt
[email protected]
Wow-Dory! Thank you for reaching out across the years and miles with kind thoughts of comfort. I'll contact you via e-mail today!
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My brother and I shared a love of baking. But where my bread dough was merely wet, his dough was 85% hydration.
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Thanksgiving without his baking - bread, zucchini focaccia, tart and/or pie all absent along with him. He was an amazing baker!
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published a tribute .
It's been two months since I lost you my love. You're in my thoughts and heart always.
i carry your heart with me (e.e. cummings)
i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)
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published a tribute .
To the George "Chris" Dunbar family; our heartfelt sympathy and condolences for your loss.
I only met George in the last 8 years as a person and highly skilled craftsman. We were fortunate to have him make cabinets for our home here. In a sense, we were also neighbors. I could always fine him in his shop for a question or concern (keeping in mind that his Golf always took a priority in this endeavor) I would often look at Hall Canyon, as I ventured down the hill, to see if he was about walking his dog. I always felt comfortable around him and could share our ideas and thoughts. I will truly miss his presence.
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Words can’t explain all the things Chris has done for his good friend Billy and his family. When my husband was ill he was in the middle of a job he told Chris he was dying. Chris came up and finished the job for him and refused to accept any money gave it all to Billy.
When my husband died, Henry Chris and Marybeth were there for us.
Chris and Henry were in close contact. Chris made an amazing urn for Billy. With special wood from his father and a leather piece from their brother Franks satchel. He made the most amazing place for his brothers ashes. Everything Chris did had meaning. Chris and Henry came up and helped me and the boys with the memorial. When we had to move they both came up together and packed the whole house for us. I was so devastated, frozen and they were there for Billys wife and children. When we found a rundown house to buy Chris said, by the damn house we will fix it!!!! And they did!!! Chris and Henry came and fixed the house so we could move in. Later, Chris came and with our sons built an amazing deck for us. With the goal of teaching Michael and Kenny the skill of carpentry Chris was patient and he taught them so much. When my youngest son Michael died suddenly. Chris and Marybeth were again there for my family. Chris made two beautiful urns for Michael. He asked me to pick the one I wanted.
Lastly, Chris left Ken, his friends son, his nephew, his Godson his more than a friends son a beautiful gift. A lathe... The same lathe that he used to make Billy’s urn, Michael’s urn and his own urn. For Ken. To carve as a hobby, or a future but most of all a legacy from Chris to Kenny our amazing loving friend.Words can’t express the love and loss we feel for him.
Chris you’re the most amazing friend, brother, uncle, Godfather, man. Chris I have said many times to you how much we love you forever and ever.
Oh my...you've brought me to tears (which isn't so hard these days). Thank you for a beautiful tribute to Chris. He was such a generous soul and loved you guys very much.
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I’m going to miss the teaching of George. He always had the answer and the correct one. See you on the flip side
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published a tribute .
I loved going to museums with Chris. This pic was taken on the ramp heading up to The Getty. His constant curiosity began before we even got through the doors!
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Dear Marybeth,
I’m honored to be included in Chris’s Memorial Celebration. He had a very impressive life. You’re in my prayers. Sending love, Anne Cochran
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Thinking of you MB! We do wish you and George weren’t handling this all alone this past year. We loved the time that we got to spend with you both. What a smart, sweet and kind man. ❤️
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Thank you for your kind words about George. I'm so glad you got to know him. My sister Nancy and her partner John came from Ohio to Cali when Geo was first diagnosed.When covid hit they were "forced" to shelter in place in Ventura.Geo and I were lucky to have them with us for 5 months while going through treatment.We were especially fortunate since Nancy is a nurse practitioner and had just retired from the Cleveland Clinic. George never complained and lived his life to the fullest even in the throes of chemo.
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Our family got to know George when he came to help turn our house into our home. He helped us design the perfect kitchen for our family and demonstrated his creative carpentry skills with his work on cabinets and mantel for our living space. We also loved getting to know Bella - as she'd accompany him on the outings to our house! Our shared love of baking was soon embraced by our kids. My son, Jacob, often exchanged lemon bars with George and we still treasure his lemon bar recipe and use it as a guide for our baking! George taught us that baking is an art - and we explore and learn every time we pull out the mixer!!
MaryBeth - Our hearts and love go out to you. We are here for you! And we will always fondly remember our time with George.
-Mark, Cherie, Emma & Jacob
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published a tribute .
Chris’ passing has left a hole in all our lives. Chris was a creator, an artist, engineer, builder, musician, linguist, master mechanic, a skilled and imaginative carpenter, a dynamite cook, a dog whisperer and interested in everyone he met. He was a mensch, a Yiddish term for a person of integrity and honor.
We were friends for fifty-two years, having met in college 1968 in southern California. And, as those exciting times ostensibly demanded, Chris and I went looking for, “ourselves”, eventually finding the small rural community of Haiku on Maui, Hawaii, where we shared a picturesque house overlooking the pineapple fields and Puhala Bay.
Our neighbors were Chinese pai gow gamblers and Filipino cock fighters. Naturally, Chris reached out to them. Jobs were hard to come by so our neighbors introduced us to the rudiments of their trade so we could maybe make some money gambling. We’d play pai gow (a Chinese gambling game) in a local bar in Paia and bet on cock fights down on the Wailuku docks. After a few months Chris got the idea to build his own guitar so we headed back to California.
We shared a small cabin nestled in a Redwood grove in Monte Rio on the Russian River. Building his guitar became his quest. Once we settled in, Chris started to assemble the essential supplies for guitar making. This was back in the days before the internet, or cell phones. We had to search telephone books for resources offering the proper types of wood, best tools and other apparatus necessary for his vision to proceed. Driving endlessly to a variety of specialty lumber yards and tool suppliers consumed days as he sought the specifically suitable wood for his venture.
Luckily, the Whole Earth Catalog, a wildly popular source book for the Seventies was published. It became Chris’ bible. He spent hours studying every page, and then, spent even more hours conveying the information he had garnered from that digest to ae were used to make his own specialty tools, patterns and molds) I too knew the WEC by heart, just from listening to his critiques and commentary.
From the Fall of ’71 until late Spring of ’72 he built his, “factory”, and then he built his guitar. It was a beautiful instrument with a tone that would only mellow with time. When visiting Mary Beth last week, I spent some time looking over his guitar. It has truly mellowed with age; the wood has developed a lustrous depth, and the sound has lived up to Dunny’s anticipation for this instrument’s promise. I’ve always thought of those days as the Winter of the Guitar.
Chris lived an interesting life filled with accomplishment on so many levels. He had, and held close, so many long established friends who had been traveling the same road with him for decades. And he met, wooed and won Mary Beth’s heart, his proudest accomplishment. They shared a wonderful four-plus decades together, building a life filled with devotion to each other…and to their dogs.
George (Georgio, Chris) Dunbar was a unique and gentle man. He was an extraordinary jack-of-all-trades and whatever he attempted was accomplished with an eye to beauty, longevity and value. All of our hearts are broken by his passing and the world has lost a bit of decency that was the man who made all he touched better and more beautiful. And in fifty-two years of close friendship, Chris and I never quarreled…not once.
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Thank you for this beautiful tribute, Gene. Fifty-two year friendship and never quarreled.He loved you and so do I.
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So wonderful Gene. Chris was so wonderful he is, a wonderful wonderful brother from another mother friend, and man.
I know Billy met Chris in high school and Henry.... I would have to say, I remember one or two (or more) arguments with Chris and Billy.
Like brothers they argued and then made up.
Lovely tribute
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One month today...you are missed so much. As if I need anything else to keep your memory alive, I was touched when a commendation came today from the County of Ventura in honor of your service.
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Chis and my sister worked hard to have two of the the most beautiful homes first in San Rafael and currently in Ventura. If you could see Chris's detailed inlays in the family room cabinets, his bay windows, fine furniture and woodworking you would be astounded. Everywhere you look in their home you can see tributes to his artistic and creative abilities. Both MB and Chris created a virtual garden of Eden in their backyard. Their landscaping skills merged to produce an idylic environment that is spiritually uplifting in all its majestic beauty. Their garden is filled with beautiful flowers and succulent plants with scattered orange, lemon, grapefruit, apple, avacodo and tangerine trees.
Chris always made me feel welcome in their home and I cherish the countless memories I have of being with MB and Chris over the past 40 years.
Luckily, I retired in January of this year after 49 years of nursing about the time that Chris was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. That afforded me a wonderful and very special opportunity to spend time with Chris. He was so brave and determined. He approached his diagnosis pragmatically and never really let it overwhelm him. He used his remaining precious time so well filling his days with music, improving his home, and ongoing learning.
He was not only a great brother in law, he was on of my best friends. I loved him so much.
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I love you Nancy. You helped both of us so much on this scary and challenging journey. You were with us until the end and I don't think I could have made it through this without you. xoxo
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Mentor, friend ,craftsman, Baker, and one of the most talented men I’ve ever met and had the pleasure of working with. I will miss him dearly .
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Chris, I am visiting your beautiful home and cannot express the profound loss I am feeling. Everywhere I look I see incredible things that you created to make your house a home. You were so very loved which makes your passing so much more difficult. My son Jack once said at his sister Halle's memorial when we are all struggling to make sense of her loss, "Maybe she left us to show us the way." I am once again trying to find the light within to cope with your loss.. Chris, I wish to emulate your beautiful spirit by being kinder, more forgiving, more joyful, full of life and helpful to others. I will always cherish the gift of you.
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We had such a wonderful trip to France. Hard to believe that was June 2019. I love the idea that he's up there with Halle "showing us the way."
Maureen - I’m so glad you’re with MaryBeth. I have thought how I will feel visiting the home that Chris beautifully built for the two of them.
He put so much love into everything he created. I believe, like you, once you get through the sadness, the joy of being surrounded by what Chris had the gift to do - to transform wood into a language shared by him and MB.
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Chris loved his fellow man. When walking or traveling with him he would stop to talk to people. His face would light up and we knew were there for a while. Chris loved people and people loved him. I loved him, almost everyone who had the opportunity to know him came under his spell. He was a creative craftsman with an insatiable desire to learn and understand. Understanding of how things worked he then transferred his knowledge from one type of project to another. He went even further in trying to explain and teach others. For Chris it was never enough to learn about something it was also just as important to pass on that knowledge
Even when he was going through cancer he was always trying to accomplish things and was thinking about others. Chris wanted to make sure that things were finished around the house and that MaryBeth was taken care of.
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published a tribute .
He was Christy growing up in Manhattan Beach, Chris throughout high school and beyond, and finally becoming George in Ventura. But no matter what he chose to call himself, he was always the same fun-loving, kind, soft spoken man. I have so many memories of our childhood together – flying down John Street on our homemade skateboards, walking all the way to the end of the Redondo breakwater, carving wood tiki amulets in the garage, spending all our allowance on candy for the vacation road trip up the California coast, catching tadpoles in Pollywag Pond and so many more. Our high school years were filled with friends and laughter. It was apparent early on that Chris had a great mind. Once he learned to drive he needed to borrow the family car. Dad said the could use the car but had to pay 10 cents per mile. We couldn’t figure out how he could be gone all day and only travel 15 miles. Of course in the days working at the garage he learned how to disconnect the odometer. It seemed that Chris could do anything he put his mind to, from giant concrete structures to the delicate inlaid woodwork of a guitar. I think that in more recent years one story always comes to my mind. Lala told me that one day before heading off to work she mentioned to Chris that it would be nice if there was a doorway between the dining room and the hallway. That evening when she got home from work, there was a doorway between the dining room and the hallway. I missed some years when he was living up north and in Arkansas, but I will always be grateful for all the wonderful memories of my brother, Chris.
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Giorgio is one of the most incredible people I’ve ever known. His kindness was pure and genuine. He was constantly finding ways to genuinely connect and understand other people. Whether he was learning another language or spending hours baking the perfect scone, he was determined to fully immerse himself in the journey. While I’m so incredibly saddened, I am so grateful for all the memories and lessons I’ve learned from Giorgio.
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The first time I met Giorgio was at a plaza in Venice, Italy. He greeted me with a warm hug, like we had known each other for years. As we traveled around Venice, then moving onto Rome, Giorgio could not have been nicer to someone he had just met. I watched the way he treated his wife, sister in law, niece and nephews and it showed the huge heart that he had. He had taught himself Italian to make it easier for all of us traveling with him. But the knowledge he possessed was unbelievable, and I knew I had to listen to every word he said. I swear it seemed like he had lived a life for a dozen other people, and I loved picking his brain. He would visit Dallas numerous times after our trip and I loved talking to him each time. He loved to share his experiences and stories to anyone who would listen. He even helped us design our new house, and I know he would have loved it. He will be truly missed, but I know I will see him again. Rest in paradise, Giorgio
Thank you for the beautiful tribute, Scott! Giorgio loved you and was so happy that his precious niece, Liz, had found such a good man.
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published a tribute .
A true role model and perfect example of how to live life to the fullest. We’re all luck to have had Chris in our lives. Although I’m extremely saddened and devastated by the news and thought that he’s no longer with us, I’m forced to remember back on all the wonderful times we’ve had and immediately my heart is filled with joy.
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published a tribute .
There are people born to this world that have so much heart and a giving soul. They are the few that make a true difference by example and spark wonder and intrigue by their unwillingness to surrender.
Chris was one of these people.
Grieving his departure has been so difficult for me. I’m still stuck in disbelief. I have known MaryBeth for over 40 years and Chris almost as many. I loved him for his wit, his talents and his quiet power. I loved that only Chris loved ice cream more than me, having at least 4 varieties of Ben & Jerry’s in the freezer at one time.
Chris was the first person I know that made pizza on the BBQ - and that was many years ago when they lived in San Rafael!
For the last 10 years I would visit MB and Chris at Easter, with my 95lb dog Rio in tow. Chris always made us feel welcome during the 4-5 days. Before our visit concluded, Rio was laying by Chris’ side with Bella.
I remember Chris telling me the advantage of King Arthur flour for baking over Gold Medal. I now have King Arthur in my pantry. He would make the best blueberry muffins and pack a few for the drive home.
These are just a few of those ‘little things’ that made Chris so special.
His love of reading, dogs, ice cream and languages. In fact, I would hear Chris speaking to someone in the bathroom when I was there. MB was in the kitchen. It turned out that he would practice Babbel (Spanish/Italian) there.
His persistence was astounding!
I know that his spirit has touched me & I am blessed to have had him in my life. When I bake some bread, eat some ice cream or hug my dog - I will smile. Thank you, Chris - you are so loved!
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Joan - thank you for the beautiful and oh so true tribute to my love. You truly knew him and hit on so many of his attributes and quirkiness. Didn't we just love him?!
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Yes! Of course we did. As I wrote I kept remembering so many of those little things that made him so special! Goofing around in the snow, cross country skiing...we shared so many memories...
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Here's an example of the stone benches at Ventura Botanical Gardens.
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Beautiful bench. And perfect for Chris in a peaceful setting.
Your touching obituary really is heartwarming. You're in my heart and soul. Love you dearly. Chris may you be at peace.
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Chris (George as we at The Door Outlet knew him) was such a nice man. I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. RIP. Phyllis Desamito
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He was the best husband in the world to my beloved sister. He was so thoughtful and caring. I remember one time years back when we were sitting in the living room and MB said " I wish we had access to a plug here" (which was practically in the center of the room). Within minutes, he had his tools out and expertly created an outlet in less than an hour or two just in time for our TV show.
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When MB was still working, Chris was kind of a night owl. When she woke up, her fruit salad was ready and she had a daily small, clever and amusing drawing on a sticky note attached to her pre-prepared cappuccino maker to set the tone of her day at work.
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I love this coy pic of Gio after he finished work on one of the ponies at the Carousel at Golden Gate Park.
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Such a loss of a beautiful person. You both always seemed to be laughing and enjoying each others company. Your friends and family will be here for you always.
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Thanks Reeni I know you understand 100% what I'm going through. Hope to see you and Cort soon.
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Looking through photographs I found this one. My two best friends- may they rest in peace.
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Beautiful tribute. Wish I could be there with you. Sending much, much love, MB, from Oregon - Betsy
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Rest in peace, Chris.
MB, I am so sorry for your loss. David and Frank probably pushed St.Peter aside to meet him at the pearly gates.
Love to you, Meg
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We are truly sorry to hear of George’s passing. We knew him as a fellow dog walker and our conversations in the canyon were varied, deep and always interesting! Often times, we would meet up with him with his EarPods on as he was singing along to the lyrics of some Spanish song with Bella following behind. Every so often he would share some of his delicious baked goodies with us and explain in detail how he made them. He had no fear of learning and that is still an inspiration for us. We will miss our walks with him! But we are sure he is now once again walking with his furry canine companions Zuma and Bella. Our deepest sympathy to MaryBeth and his family, as he will surely be missed.
Roger & Laurie Adams
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Thank you for the wonderful memories of George. I think of him too with his earbuds in singing an Andrea Bocelli song at the top of his lungs.
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two of George’s favorite things in one picture ... Bella, sitting patiently in his old battered, but infinitely cool green pickup ... warming his seat for him?
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question: who still has George in their contact list ... me too ....
this photo is one of my favorites, but it’s also a sad one ... MaryBeth and George chatting, Bella staring at my kitty, and kitty doing the feline dismissive thing ... MB and I are the only ones left now ...
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How could this be Mary!? I'll be leaning on you in the months ahead.
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As I gaze upon the glider where Chris used to sit for hours on his back patio, I am filled with loving memories of him. It was here that he would spend countless hours attempting to perfect his language skills transitioning from Spanish to French or Italian. Or, he would listen to beautiful Spanish songs often singing along rejoicing at their melodious beauty or the meaning behind the words. Or, he would regale me with stories about his childhood, telling me in detail about how his dad built their home, or the times he spent surfing . From his glider, he told me about his first job as a teenager, working as a garage mechanic towing, changing tires and working on cars. He told me about the time he spent in the Viet Nam War having lucked out with a desk job here in the states responsible for the payroll of all US Army personnel. I heard about his move to Hawaii, his perilous experiences as a logger in Oregon (or was it Washington) hauling logs up and down an icy mountainside with hairpin turns. He told me about living with Gene in Monte Rio where he painstakingly built his amazing classical guitar. He told me about his radiator business, about his work with concrete, his many remodeling jobs. He amazed me with descriptions of the incredible restoration projects in San Francisco Bay area that he was involved with including the historic Old Reed Mill Restoration in Mill Valley. This mill was originally constructed in the 1830s and was one of the first sawmills in Northern California. He also was the foreman on world famous Golden Gate Park 1914 Hershell-Spillman Carousel restoration project as well as for earthquake proofing job at Candlestick Ball Park. The guy was so eclectic, versatile and gifted. There seemed to be nothing he could not master.
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Nancy this is so beautiful - and I know how heartfelt it is. You've been by our side during this entire journey. I don't know what I would or would have done without you.
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I was so saddened to read the passing of George. I remember him as kind and patient with me as a beginner golfer. He was an outstanding golfer and played on Sundays with MaryBeth and me. He was so intelligent and was versed in many subjects. My prayers go out to MaryBeth and her family.
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