May 7, 1932-April 8, 2021
George R. Conner, Sr., 89, passed away on April 8, 2021. He was the devoted husband of the late Marilyn Bansberg Conner and adoring father of George R. Conner, Jr. and his wife, Jeanne; Colleen C. FitzGerald and her husband, Bill; Valerie A. Zemanek and her husband, Steve. He was the beloved brother of Ronald A. Conner and his wife Jacqueline; dear brother-in-law of Shirley Conner; and cherished grandfather of April DiNunno, Kevin Conner, Jillian Murphy, Hillary Gilson, Nate FitzGerald, Jocelyn Zemanek, the late Jacob Zemanek, and Julia Zemanek. George was also the adoring great-grandfather of Conner and Maria DiNunno; Brody and Chase Gilson; and Liam and Landon Murphy. He was predeceased by ten additional siblings and is survived by many mentioned above, along with a plethora of nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.
Born in Connellsville, Pennsylvania to Claude and Helen Conner, George was the eleventh of twelve children. During his youth, he demonstrated a penchant for athletics and enthusiastically pursued football, basketball, and swimming through his graduation from Connellsville High School in 1950. Shortly thereafter, he coached a local women’s recreational softball team. It was in this capacity that he met his future bride of nearly 68 years, one of his then-players. George was captivated by Marilyn’s amiable, unassuming, and deeply compassionate personality. Likewise, Marilyn was enamored with George’s gregariousness, joviality, and affectionate disposition. Right before George’s brief stint in the Korean War, the two married in 1953 in Baltimore, Maryland. Over the years, he would joke that, though he had actually broken his leg during his time, his tenure in the army was truly short-lived because he “was a lover and not a fighter.”
George enjoyed an accomplished, 43-year career as a Construction Technical Specialist with Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. In his spare time, he enjoyed golfing, watching old Western re-runs, and coaching his children’s sports teams during their formative years. Ultimately, he prioritized family above all else and was never more in his element than when he was spending time with—and lovingly ragging on—his siblings, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his better half, Marilyn. George and Marilyn, a very Christ-centered couple, were longtime members of Loch Raven Presbyterian Church in Carney, Maryland. They eventually moved to the beach to fully enjoy their well-deserved golden years, where they diligently attended Providence Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, Maryland. Family members spent many laughter-infused vacations with the pair, replete with days lounging by the ocean and evenings consuming homemade stuffed shells or venturing to local favorites such as The Captain’s Galley.
George and his much-adored Marilyn, two homebodies and creatures of habit who were practically inseparable, personified a perfectly proportioned blend of the dichotomous adages: “birds of a feather flock together” and “opposites attract”. George, always the comedian, could often be seen laughingly waving his hand over his head. This gesture served to indicate that Marilyn, due to her distinctively innocent worldview, had missed George’s warped punchline. George held a deep and unwavering love for Marilyn and his passing, which occurred a mere three months after hers, mirrored the joint manner in which they navigated through life. George was a truly magnificent soul, and he will profoundly be missed—yet never forgotten—by those who loved him.
The family will receive friends at the Lemmon Funeral Home of Dulaney Valley, Inc. 10 W. Padonia Road (at York Road) Timonium, Maryland 21093 on Monday, April 12 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
George’s life will be celebrated at Loch Raven Presbyterian Church, 9318 Old Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM.
Interment: Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be directed in Mr. Conner’s memory to Loch Raven Presbyterian Church, 9318 Old Harford Road, Parkville, MD 21234 or please visit www.lochravenpca.org.
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