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George Victor Schmelzer, 89, a US Army veteran, husband, and father, passed away peacefully at Gladeview Rehabilitation Center in Connecticut, on Aug. 13. He will forevermore be in the loving memory of his family and faithful cat Wrinkles.

As a childhood resident of Queens, New York,and later of The Bronx, New York, George had a passion for boating, and as a teen crafted his own wooden boat, one of four he would ultimately own. His inquisitive interest in all things mechanical later landed him a lifelong career with the New York electric utility, Consolidated Edison Co.

Shortly thereafter, George was inducted into the army and served as a field radio technician in Korea. Upon returning home and to his job at Con Ed, he married his sweetheart Rosemarie Buck after which they purchased a home and raised two children in Wantagh, on Long Island, New York. George retired from Con Ed at age 59, and relocated with his wife to a small town in Connecticut.

George was predeceased by his wife Rosemarie and leaves behind his daughter Catherine Schmelzer Troncoso and her husband Joaquin, and son Ronald George Schmelzer and his wife Maria. In addition he leaves behind five grandchildren, Dennis Schmelzer, Robert Schmelzer, Jenna Bruckner, Steven Schmelzer, and Christina Fandetti. George was also a great-grandfather to eleven beautiful children, Ava, Adam, Isabel, Evelyn, Reed, Ashlen, Carson, Oswald, Lucas, Arduino, and Bryce.

A Christian graveside service will be held at Fountain Hill Cemetery, Deep River, on Sept. 7 at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Homeward Bound Adoptions Connecticut Inc., a nonprofit organization, 80 Middlesex Tpke., Chester, CT 06412.