George William Hodgetts

George William Hodgetts, age 87, of Calera, Alabama passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024. He was born to George and Clara Hodgetts of Woodbridge, Connecticut. He graduated from Yale University where he studied Engineering and played baseball for the Yale Bulldogs. He earned his Master's degree from Harvard Business School.

He developed a lifelong obsession with golf at the age of 12. George played for 75 years at courses all over the world and devoted much of his engineering expertise and entrepreneurial talent to improving the game for himself and others.

He was preceded in death by his daughters, Dianne Hodgetts and Linda Goddard. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Mary Hodgetts; son, Stephen Hodgetts (Mary) of Sudbury, Massachusetts; daughter, Amy Covington (Jason) of Bluffton, South Carolina; stepson, John Bettencourt (Lauren) of North Fort Myers, Florida; stepdaughter, Theresa Preston (Stephen) of Calera, Alabama; eighteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Jainchill (Manny) of Wethersfield, Connecticut and Hazel Hodgetts of Concord, Massachusetts; and nephews, Aaron Jainchill (Debbie) of Farmington, Connecticut and Seth Jainchill (Aga) of Wethersfield, Connecticut.

George never missed an opportunity to advise anyone willing to listen on the value of hard work and a good education whether in a trade or degree. The way to his heart were good chocolate chip cookies and a deck of fresh index cards.

He was the best friend, buddy and comrade to his dear wife, Mary. They were known for taking crazy adventures, most notably to their favorite place, Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire.

A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles in Hoover, Alabama, with details to be posted once finalized. He will be laid to rest at North Cemetery in Wayland, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org/dignitymemorial.