George M. Wise

George Marion Wise

1927 - 2012

George M. Wise, 84, of Pensacola, former Assistant Chief of the Pensacola Fire Department, passed away on the morning of April 18th after a long life spent in service and devotion to his family, his friends, and his community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Roberta Wise, brothers Robert (Dick) and William (Pete) Wise, sisters Laura (Doll) Thompson and Martha (Booty) Marshall, and many other close friends and family members.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Alice Jean; son George and daughter-in-law Margie, son William; grandson George Wise and wife Dawn; granddaughter Priscilla Dabney and husband Chris; grandson Gregory Wise; great-grandchildren Wesley Wise and Cruz Dabney; sister Hattie May Welch; brother Louie Wise, Sr. and sister-in-law Virginia; along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

George Wise was born in Pensacola in 1927. During World War II he did his part to help the war effort, working in Mobile at the Alabama Drydock and Shipbuilding Company as a young man until joining the Merchant Marine. Before the end of the war, he was enlisted in the US Army where he served proudly in Europe. After his discharge from the Army, he returned home to Pensacola, where he would wed the love of his life, Alice Jean Hetherington.

Chief Wise followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Pensacola Fire Department in 1948. He enjoyed being a fireman and always cherished the close bond with those he worked with. After almost 30 years with the Fire Department, he retired in 1977, having risen to the rank of Assistant Chief. At one time, he was the youngest man in the history of the PFD to attain the rank of Captain and then that of Assistant Chief. He spent his retirement years in comfort doing as he pleased; cherishing his family, his friends, and life in general. One of the things that brought him much joy in his later years was meeting regularly with old friends for breakfast: both the 'Brownsville Boys', a group of friends from the neighborhood where he grew up, as well as a group of fellow retired firefighters.

He liked nothing more than good food, good company, and good cold beer. He never met a stranger, and would happily go out of his way to help those he could. Always known for being a strong man, it is for the great strength of his character that he will be most fondly remembered.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Saturday, April 21, at Eastern Gate Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held the following day, Sunday April 22 at 1 PM at Eastern Gate Funeral home. Interment will follow in Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens.

Eastern Gate Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.