George William Gooderham

George William Gooderham

A Very Generous Man -

George William Gooderham, age 87, of Camp Hill, and formerly of Shamokin, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus while surrounded by his loving family on Monday, January 15, 2018.  George was born on Thursday, March 13, 1930 in Huntingdon to the late Darrell W. Gooderham and Nellie Marie (Heck) Gooderham.

George’s survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Leanne (Tress) Gooderham; his three children: Rebecca “Becky” Lu Peeling and her husband, Joseph, of New Cumberland, Elizabeth “Libby” Lee Evert and her husband, George, of Harrisburg, John William Gooderham and his wife, Dawn Marie, of Mechanicsburg; his seven grandchildren: Susan Galan and her two children: Marina and Brianna, of New Cumberland, Michael Peeling and his wife, Ashley, of Wormleysburg, Daniel Peeling of New Cumberland, Marisa Regalado and her husband, Paul, and their children: Nehemiah, Abigail, and Naomi, of Harrisburg, Meredith Evert of Camp Hill, Christopher William Gooderham and his wife, Maria, of Camp Hill, Derek Wilson Gooderham of Mechanicsburg; his sister-in-law, LaRue Hazelet of Charlotte, NC; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews.

George graduated from Coal Township High School as part of the class of 1948 and he attended Penn State Mont Alto where he studied dendrology.  He served in the United States Army as a part of the 7th Regimental Combat Team 3rd Infantry Division (Cotton Balers) in Fort Devens, MA.  George was the company bugler and a Snow Troop ski instructor.  He was later activated for the Korean conflict and instructed tank radio repair/maintenance on the SCR300 radio set at the Armor School in Fort Knox, KY.  George later retired from a successful career at Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania (later Verizon), after 30 years of service working as a district circuit manager and traffic engineer.

He was a long time member of Discover Church in Camp Hill, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Elder, and trumpet player.  George was a member of the American Legion and Carlisle Fish & Game Association.  He was an accomplished trumpet player for over 70 years and played with several popular local bands.  George was a member of the New Singer Band in Mechanicsburg, the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, the Brass Quintet, and director and member of Bell Telephone Pioneers Band.  He was an avid outdoorsman and had a true love of nature.  George enjoyed talking to others and teaching of the many things he knew so much about.  He was known to be a very generous man, especially with his love.  There was never a bad word said about George because he was loved by all of his family and friends.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather; George’s whole family will miss his presence dearly.

All are welcome to join George’s family at his viewing on Friday, January 19, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend James Grumbine and Paul Regalado officiating.  Military honors will be presented by the Cumberland County Honor Guard immediately after the service.  George’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at Discover Church, 769 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011, following military honors.  Burial in Mechanicsburg Cemetery will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Contributions in celebration of George’s life can be made to Discover Church, 769 Meadow Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011, or The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 61798, Harrisburg, PA 17106-1798, www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.

George’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read George’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.