George B. VanBuskirk, Jr Obituary (1930

Age 71 Birthplace Flushing, New York Resident of South Thomaston, Maine A Celebration of His Life Two O'Clock in the Afternoon Tuesday, May 7th, 2002 Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church Camden, Maine SOUTH THOMASTON - George B. Van Buskirk, Jr., 71, died Thursday, May 2, 2002, at Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Rockport, following a long illness. Born in Flushing, Long Island, New York, he was the son of George B. and Wilma Goetz Van Buskirk, Sr. He grew up in Union, New Jersey, where he attended local schools and in 1949, graduated from Union High School. In the early 1950s, he moved to Maine, residing in Northport. November 16, 1952, he married Kathleen E. Duffy at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church in Camden. For the 1st year of their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Van Buskirk resided in Camden. They lived the next two years in Roselle Park, New Jersey, before moving to Cranford. While living in New Jersey, he worked as a printer with Air Reduction Company of Union, NJ. In 1969, he returned to Maine, living in Rockland until moving here in 1987. Mr. Van Buskirk began studies at the University of Maine, Augusta in 1969. He graduated with a BA in Accounting in 1972. He worked several years as an accountant with Knox County Community Action Program and with Rockland Business Machines. For several years, he taught Catechism classes at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Rockland. Mr. Van Buskirk's hobbies included model railroading, camping, fishing, dancing, going out to eat, and scenic rides. Noting Mr. Van Buskirk's love of family, his son-in-law Gene stated, "He was the ultimate family man and loved all his grandchildren!" An active communicant at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, he was also a 4TH Degree member of Knights of Columbus, Limerock Council. For several years, he served with the Rockland Crime Watch for which he also served as treasurer. He was a member of the South Thomaston Lions Club. He was pre-deceased by a great-granddaughter, Kaylee Pelkey in 1999. Besides his wife of South Thomaston, Mr. Van Buskirk is survived by one son, Scott H. Van Buskirk and his fiancA(c)e Heather Caron of South Thomaston; three daughters and their husbands, Marie K. and David Rawley of Waldoboro, Marcia and John Wyman of Friendship, Janet L and Gene Drinkwater of Spruce Head; one brother Richard Van Buskirk and his wife Barbara of Toms River, NJ; eight grandchildren, Blair, Westley & Maggie Drinkwater, Maura Childers and her husband Perry, Kathleen Pelkey and her husband Richard, David Rawley, Jr., Melinda Fowles and her husband Timothy, Kimberly Flaherty and her husband Paul; nine great grandchildren, Kathleen, Kristina & Samuel Childers, Taylor & Samantha Pelkey, Zachary Rawley, Gregory, Brianna & Matthew Fowles. Visiting hours will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Monday, May 6th, at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. A memorial mass will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday at Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, 7 Union Street, Camden. The Reverend Eugene Gaffey will officiate. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church, Women's Club, 7 Union Street, Camden, 04843 Back2b