George Fearnley

George Fearnley in Peabody, formerly of Waltham January 21, 2020, in his 100th year.  Beloved husband of the late Edith I. (Powers) Fearnley. Loving father of Elaine Fearnley of Newburyport and Lynn Nalewanski and her husband Lee of West Newbury. Brother of Marilyn and the late Harry Springman of Salem, NH,  the late Raymond Fearnley and wife Arlene of Hudson, MA, the late Dorothy and Henry Marchant of Marlboro MA, the late Mildred and Thomas Powers of Ohio. Loving grandfather of Derek & Stephen Dexter, Melissa Neal, Dustin Pelley & Melanie Pinedo.  Also loved by 5 great grandchildren. 

Born in 1920 he married Edie, his high school sweetheart. He worked at the Van Keuren Company, manufacturers of precision measuring tools, starting at 16 until he retired -  taking a break for WWII were he proudly served his country in the Navy in the Pacific aboard the USS Paul Hamilton. George and Edith went to his naval ship reunion every year until there were not many of the navy men left and they could no longer travel.

When George was 12 in the midst of the Great Depression, the family lost their father, Herbert, to pneumonia. His mother, Mary, was fortunate to be employed in the office of McNamara Concrete company, and as the oldest boy she looked to George to help fill the void by taking on paper routes and doing what he could to support his 4 siblings. This tragedy and hardship left a mark that would follow him his whole life and could still bring him to tears in his old age. Edie also lost her father at the same age and took on the responsibility of caring for her 2 younger brothers. This was part of the close bond they shared for the 72 years they were married.

After the war they bought a house on Beal Road in Waltham where they raised Elaine and Lynn until they moved to senior living in their 80s. Family life was full with lots of car vacations, girl scouts, family events and adventures. They were both very active in the Community Church of Watertown where they were well loved for their volunteerism, love of children and kindness to others. George never saw a baby that the did not want to hold and talk to – babies loved him back. The most repeated comment about George is that he was the sweetest and kindest man. This could not be truer.

They moved to Linden Ponds retirement community in Hingham and had a full social life until Edie passed away in 2013.  George moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody to be closer to Elaine and Lynn. Family was always most important to George. He loved greatly and was greatly loved in return.  

Visiting hours will be held in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home, 270 Main St., Watertown on Saturday, January 25, 2020 from 10 - 11 am followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 O’clock. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. Interment Ridgelawn Cemetery.

US Navy Veteran, WW II.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials in George’s name may be made to the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society www.nmcrs.org

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