Worcester-George W. Markey, 89, passed away at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester on January 2nd, 2016. Born in Virginia Highlands, VA, he was the last survivor of the seven children of George F. Markey and Doris A. (Higginbottom) Markey.
At age 18, George enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in the States where he was a radio operator specialist. After his two-year obligation, he returned home to the love of his life, Norma P. (Rokes) Markey and they soon were married.
Together they had a happy, loving marriage and had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary less than three weeks before Norma passed away in 2010. Their family was, above all, the joy of their lives. George leaves their son George F. Markey and wife Mary-Ellen of Worcester and two daughters, Deborah A. Ingalls and husband James of Spencer and Shirley T. LeMay and husband Michael of North Grafton. Altogether they had six grandchildren, Nicholas Markey and Katherine (Markey) Courchaine and husband Roy, Andrew Ingalls and Susan (Ingalls) McCarthy and husband James, and Joseph and Abigail LeMay. George recently became a great-grandfather to Kennedy Courchaine. He also leaves several nieces, nephews, and many friends, including his close companion of four years, Mary Morello.
For more than 30 years George worked as a furniture refinisher for several stores and later went on to building and repairing clocks. He was a master at both crafts. In his younger years, George brought his artistic talent to painting oil on canvas, but his favorite passtime was fishing. He, Norma, and the children would often go fishing and camping and together they created wonderful memories. He was also an artist at fly-tying. George and Norma together devoted many years to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Angler Education program as volunteer instructional aids. They also belonged to the the Triple C Square Dance Club where they danced for over 20 years. Once retired, George and Norma loved to spend the winter months in Florida and visit with friends and family.
George was a very devoted and loving family man and will be sadly missed. He requested that any donations be made to the Lung Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA.
Visiting Hours will be held at CALLAHAN~FAY~CASWELL Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle Street, Worcester on Monday, January 4 from 4 to 7PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main Street in Worcester on Tuesday, January 5 at 10AM followed by burial at Worcester Memorial Park in Paxton.