Sunday, July 9, 2023
George was 3 years older than me. As a young child maybe 6 or 7 I would tagalong with him across the street to his friend's house and he would show me how their snake ate mice & another tank with a tarantula in it.
At 7 years old he put me on his bike with him and we rode a couple miles to Northern Blvd to see Pope Paul in 1965, He lifted me up so I could see him above the crowd of people and He waved and gave us His Blessing.
It is because of George I grew up to know and love so much about music. He'd make you stop & listen to the notes with a change in beats when certain songs came on. He played the accordion, I remember singing his first song, "beautiful beautiful brown eyes" with him as he learned the notes. Fast forward to me dabbling on guitar and as teens he and I would learn to play Bob Dylan's new song "Tangled up in Blue".
I will always be grateful to my big brother George for stepping in when we lost our Dad. My Mom, sister Lisa & I depended on him to be the Man of the house. He was only 12 years old at the time. Wow.
When Mom took him to Europe to see her relatives she got him a beautiful 35mm camera from my Uncle Peter. That started his love for photography which he never really lost. He took tons of wonderful photos throughout the years, I'd love to see them again sometime. He became an excellent bowler and was sometimes the youngest one on adult leagues. Wound up workin in the local bowling alley.
He never wanted to drive anything other than a BMW. Yet he would lay in the street blocks away from our house sometimes to crawl under & fix whatever car he had in the early days. He even taught me how to drive (whew!)
All the while growing up he had lots more responsibility than most kids. Yet he went through college,graduated and got his degree. He was always smart. He was a math maniac. And a HUGE list writer. Used to discuss quantum physics with his friends for fun. He grew up and became a successful radar engineer and as his co worker said, helped protect this country more than we'll ever know. No kidding.
I always knew he had a big heart, and it was never too big that it couldn't have room to love one more. Dogs he had were true blue loyal companions. He was logical and sensible most of the time. And above all funny- he had the McPartland quick wit and sense of humor. Easygoing and forgiving. Christmas Eves were open house, everyone was welcome. He truly loved his family.
On my wedding day he played photographer after he walked me down the aisle & gave me away.
Later he became Godfather to my daughter Hallie.
I will miss him with all my heart. See you on the other side Geor
Nancy McPartland Cunningham
