George Ernest Junghanns, 88, of Franklin, MA and Indian Lake, NY passed away peacefully with his wife at his side at his home on Tuesday, March 5th.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan on March 14, 1930, son of the late Ernest and Emma (Glanz) Junghanns, who had immigrated from Germany in the 1920’s. He was a resident of Yonkers, New York before moving to Franklin in 1958.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Joan M. (Gaire) Junghanns, his loving daughters Helen Dittami and her companion Joseph Benton of Indian Lake, NY, Diane Junghanns Beatrice and her husband Darren of Medfield, MA, Julia Junghanns of Wayland, MA , four grandchildren Nicolas Dittami and his wife Alyssa , Julian Dittami, Nathan Beatrice, Michelle Beatrice and two great grandchildren Anthony and Sophia Dittami. He is also survived by one sibling Evelyn Lalime.
As a child, George lived in Yonkers, New York graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1949 and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Columbia University, 1953 and a Master’s in English from NYU in 1956. After graduating he was employed by the publishing firm Pentice Hall Inc. and as a writer for the Western Electric Co. He relocated with his family to Franklin where he began his 35 year career as English Professor at Dean Jr. College. During his tenure he was awarded a Fulbright Grant to teach in Gottingen, Germany on an exchange basis. Junghanns was the first teacher from Dean to participate in this national educational and cultural exchange program. After taking an early retirement George pursued his passions of writing, research and painting and authored and published many books under the name Gauntlet Books.
George was a member of the Franklin Art Association, the Dean Jr. College Chess Club and the faculty advisor for the Centaur, the college literary magazine. His interests included metal detecting, repairing cars, watching boxing and football, playing gin rummy with his mother in the summer in NY, listening to political radio shows, driving his TR6, and smoking a good Cuban cigar.
He also loved his adventures and oil painting in the Adirondack Mountains where his family spent their summer vacations in a family home designed by his engineer father. George’s love for oil painting began in his teen years and he continued to paint for enjoyment and relaxation for most of his life. He would summer at the Adirondacks at the home his father built and spend his days painting along the Cedar River. He would disappear into the wilderness with his art supplies slung over his shoulder and produce vivid landscapes of rivers and trees.
His wife and children were influenced by his passion for painting. He would return from a day of inspired painting and share what he had produced. There would be conversation about color, composition and light. Everyone would join in on the critique. His daughters and wife were inspired to continue the family tradition of painting in oils by these meetings on the porch. In January 2019 a Junghanns Family Exhibit was held at the Medfield TV, Medfield, MA highlighting their various works of art.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 16th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with a short service to follow at the Charles F. Oteri and Son- Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage Street in Franklin, MA. The service will be officiated by Deacon Guy. A celebration of George's life will be held afterwards at Dean College in the Trophy Room, Memorial Hall.
Burial at Benton Cemetery in Indian Lake, New York, will take place in the summer.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Vincent Du Paul Society, Saint Mary’s, Franklin, MA.