George R. Tanguay

George found the secret to happiness and success early in his life. Whether it was caring for his family or working in business, he endeared himself to all knew him as a strong, wise, and trustworthy man with a truly generous heart and a sensitive, kind spirit. George never hesitated to put others before himself. His greatest pleasure was doing things to make those he loved happy. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, brother, boss and friend. His actions spoke louder than any words.

George enjoyed music and played the mandolin and guitar. He loved to tell his wife, Helene that his favorite song was "One Enchanted Evening" because they met “across a crowded room” while he was helping at a high school dance. They were married on September 5, 1955 and had three children.

George was also an entrepreneur. He founded CK Security System, a patrol and guard company, in 1971 and GRT Systems, Inc., a Security company which bears his initials and specializes in providing burglar alarm, fire alarm, access control, and video surveillance services, in 1978. Both companies operate under the name North American Security from an office in Clarkston. George managed the companies with his daughter Celeste until his passing. He was well known for his dedication to the industry, knowledge and compassionate way he operated his business within the security industry for more than 53 years. He put his employees and customers first. His daughter remembers how she would marvel when her father would win 95 percent of his sales calls. “I think it was because people knew that they could trust him,” she said. “He never took advantage of anyone and treated everyone respectfully. How he treated people was more important to him than getting their business.”

Prior to starting North American Security, George was a development engineer with Vitro Laboratories in New Jersey. Before that he was a project manager at ITT Communication Systems in New Jersey (1962-1966), division manager at United States Underseas Cable Corporation, Washington, D.C. (1966-1969) and became Chief Executive Officer and President of Globecom Corporation in Vienna, Va. (1969-1971).

George started his high school and early college in the seminary and received an associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Oblate College and Seminary in Bar Harbor, ME in 1952. He returned to his hometown of Gardner, MA where he and Helene met. George served in the military for two years (1952-1954) in France and Germany during the Korean War and afterwards, enrolled in the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1958. He also did graduate studies at Stephens Institute of Technology through 1960.

George was born on March 14,1932 in Winchendon, MA. He was the eighth of eleven children of Arthur and Yvonne (Brunette) Tanguay. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his wife of 64-plus years; son Stephan A Tanguay; daughter-in-law Wendy (Cornell); and son Gregory J. Tanguay; four brothers, Armand, Fr. Andre, Leo and Emil Tanguay; and three sisters, Fernande Goguen, Sr. Gilbert Tanguay and Denise Agneli.

George is survived by his daughter Celeste M. Tanguay; grandson, Michael J. Tanguay and his wife, Rachel; great granddaughter, Lillian M. Tanguay; daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Wright); his sister, Sr. Cecile Tanguay; and brothers, Norbert and Herve Tanguay.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to, Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, 495 Mammoth Road

Manchester, NH 03103 or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation.

The family will receive friends, Monday, April 29, 2024 from 6 to 8 o’clock at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. A Funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 2 o’clock at All Saints Catholic Church 2443 Mount Vernon Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park with a reception immediately following the committal service.