George Hitt

George Hitt, 92, died peacefully at Shorrock Gardens in Lakewood, New Jersey on February 5, 2015. He was the family patriarch and his loss has left a void never to be filled again. George was born in Selma, Alabama on March 18, 1922. From early childhood he had a strong entrepreneurial spirit – he shined shoes, had a paper route, mowed lawns, raked leaves and looked after the neighbor dogs. He was not only enterprising but also inquisitive and creative. When he was eight years old he taught himself to swim by reading about it and giving it a try in the river. George attended and graduated from Knox Academy High School. He performed odd jobs until his family relocated to New York City in 1938. In New York, he worked as a house painter, a delivery boy for notions and trimmings in the garment district, a bellhop in a Manhattan hotel and a welder in the Brooklyn Navy Yard where he worked on the famous battleship USS Missouri. The USS Missouri was the last ship to be commissioned by the United States and was the site of Japan’s surrender, ending World War II. In 1942, George met and married Viola Bright. They had one son George David and two grandsons, David and Christopher. A committed and dedicated husband and father, he provided a wholesome and prosperous family environment from income building laminating machines for the garment industry, a job he held for many years and one that has revolutionized the production of fabrics. His quest for knowledge continued and he pursued a certification in boiler maintenance and repair as a contingency in ensuring the success of the laminating process. This was above and beyond his responsibilities at work. Fascinated by airplanes and flying, George took flying lessons. He learned to fly the Piper Cub and then graduated to the 4- Seater Pier 180 and was licensed and instrument rated on these aircrafts, a significant achievement. This was a hobby he thoroughly enjoyed. An avid reader and a lover of Jazz and classical music, he taught himself to play the piano and the trumpet. His entrepreneurial spirit flourished again when he and Viola purchased a couple of apartment buildings in Brooklyn that he managed and a lovely home in Springfield Gardens, Queens. Viola passed away in 1977. In 1980, George married Beverly Blake and in 1995 they moved to Lakewood, New Jersey. An active member of the First Baptist Church of Lakewood, George sang contralto in the choir and he and Beverly participated in many church functions and activities. He enjoyed the tranquility of Leisure Village in Lakewood and sharing life’s challenges and pleasures with his wife Beverly to whom he was devoted. In 1998, George retired from working with the Fabrite Laminating Company. George’s quest for knowledge continued and after retiring he went back to school to learn computer technology and applied those skills as a volunteer at the local hospital. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Johnny and Robert, and his mother, Alice Mann.

George leaves to cherish his memory a devoted wife Beverly, son George David (Roberta) of St. Louis, MO, 2 grandsons, David Alexander (Nazicah) of Mastic, NY, Christopher (Paul) of Fort Lauderdale, Fl, a sister, Mosina Jordan of Alexandria, VA, adopted son, Marvin Brown of Cairo, GA, many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.