George Arthur Fogg

George A. Fogg, 93, died on March 31, 2022 at home in Braintree, MA from a prolonged illness. Born in 1928 in Newburyport, MA, George grew up in the towns of Salisbury and Amesbury. As a young adult, he moved into Boston’s South End where he resided for more than a half-century with his life partner.

George was preceded in death by his partner Francis “Frank” Maloney (1933-2010); mother, Harriett A. Fogg (Robinson) (1894-1976); father, Newill F. Fogg (1886-1955); a grandfather of note, Clarence J. Fogg (1853-1936), member of the Massachusetts House of Representative & 41st Mayor of Newburyport, MA; and countless others, as the first Fogg settled in Eliot, Maine in 1666. George is survived by his chosen family, Louis Lopilato-Cartagena and Angel Cartagena.

George was a veteran of WWII; while stationed in Germany, he earned the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Medal of Victory and the Army of Occupation Medal. After, he attended the University of New Hampshire, Durham, graduating with a degree in Agriculture. Over the decades George was employed by Clifton Pierce Floral Grower, Grossman’s Building Materials & Home Improvement, and Schumacher Fabrics & Wall Coverings. Along with Frank, he was the proprietor of Berkeley Antiques in Boston’s South End for over a decade. George was a long time member of the National Grange, being awarded the Golden Sheaf in 1992, to honor his 50 years of continuous service.

George had two great passions in life. The first was English and Colonial American Dance, which were the social dances of the nineteenth Century. He started as a student in his youth, and quickly became a leader, a teacher, and a Dance Master. For decades he would organize and call these period dances locally and across the country, even touring in England. Locally, he held annual Christmas and George Washington Balls. George not only led each dance, but, again with Frank by his side, he set-up, decorated, and prepared the formal sit-down dinners for these authentic period balls. He was a member of the Country Dance & Song Society, New England Folk Festival Association, Pinewoods Morris Men, Black Joker Morris Men, and Revels. He co-authored six collections of 18th Century dances. George stayed extremely active into his mid-eighties; he danced every set in a ball celebrating his 84th birthday!

George’s second passion was American-made glassware of 19th & 20th centuries. He began his glass interests in the 1970’s, to pick up some extra money. He, and yes Frank, would buy pieces of glass at yard sales then resell them at collector markets. They travelled throughout the Ohio Valley, setting up at the shows and sales of collecting conventions. George was an active member of many groups, authoring articles for publications, speaking at conventions, and working on museum development for the National Duncan Glass Society, the National Cambridge Collectors, the Heisey Collectors of America, the Old Morgantown Glass Collectors’ Guild, the Imperial Glass Collectors’ Society, The National American Glass Club, and The Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. George also co-authored two books for collectors.

George will be remembered fondly by many for his enthusiasm and spirit for life. He will be interred, later this summer, at his family burial grounds.

If anyone wishes to remember George, through dance or glass, a contribution may be made in his name to either:

The Traditional Dance and Music Collections Fund, at the University of New Hampshire. This is the home of the George Fogg Collection, 36+ boxes of his personal dance archives. Make check payable to: UNH, and note on the memo line: George Fogg. Mail to: UNH Dimond Library, Special Collections, 18 Library Way, Durham, NH. 03824

or

The Museum of American Glass Heritage Fund. Make check payable to: MAGWV, note on the memo line: Heritage Fund, IMO George Fogg. Mail to MAGWV, 230 Main Avenue, Weston, WV 26452. You can also call 304.269.5006 to use a credit card.