George Edward Yankowski

George Edward Yankowski, born November 19, 1922 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 25, 2020, at his home in The Villages, Florida, with his wife, Mary (Urquhart/Jones) by his side. He was 97 years old.

After graduating from Watertown (MA) High School as president of his class in 1940, he went on to Northeastern University for two years before signing with Major League Baseball’s Philadelphia Athletics at age 19.

After finishing the baseball season, George joined the U.S. Army, finding himself as an infantryman in WWII, fighting in Europe as a sniper, and eventually in The Battle of the Bulge. George received the Bronze Star and was recently awarded the French Medal of Honor.

While still in the service at a benefit baseball game at Fenway Park between the Boston Braves and the Service Men's All-Star Team, George was on the roster managed by Babe Ruth. His teammates included Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio. George hit a single, and as he relayed in an interview several years ago, "Babe Ruth was coaching first and came over to me and put his arm around me, and with that husky voice he had at times, said to me, ‘Nice going, Kid.’ Wow, what a thrill!"

In 1946, George graduated from Northeastern University and played minor league ball until he was signed by the Chicago White Sox in 1949.

George earned a Master's Degree from Boston University and returned to Watertown High as a teacher, baseball coach, and later as a guidance counselor. This second stint at Watertown High lasted 30 years. He was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame, Watertown and was the first baseball inductee of the Athletic Hall of Fame at Northeastern University.

Upon his retirement from Watertown High School, George worked 24 more years for ADP Payroll Company, Waltham, MA. retiring at the age of 85 years old.

George and Mary were previous members of The Oakley Country Club in Watertown, MA. They met there, they were married there, and they celebrated many happy occasions there with friends and family, as well as dining, dancing, and playing golf. George also worked as caddy there as a young boy.

George was an avid golfer, especially in his later years when he would hit the links at least twice a week. He landed not one but two holes-in-one. During his retirement his energetic schedule of cruises, dancing, and golfing left people many years his junior struggling to keep up with his joie de vivre.

George was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Geraldine (Molito), his parents Voslow and Stefania (Tokarska), and siblings Ida (Robak), Edith (Stevens), Victor, Elizabeth, and Robert.

In addition to his loving wife of 20 years, Mary (Urquhart-Jones), George is survived by his six children, Linda Bellefeuille of Holliston, MA, Judi Mize and her husband Peter of Derry, NH, George and his wife Janice of Vero Beach, FL, Debbie Kabelis and her husband Jim of Darien, IL, Marcia Newbury and her husband Patrick of Dedham, MA, Lisa Chase and her husband David of Watertown, MA; his four step-children, Linda Colitz and her husband Steven of Milton, GA, Wendy Braceland and her husband Robert of Stow, MA, William Jones of The Villages, FL, and Glenn Jones and his wife Nicole of Franklin, MA. His many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family, and dear friends will miss his kind manner, humorous anecdotes, and sage advice.

Memorial Services will be held at the Hope Lutheran Church, The Villages, FL. on March 10 at 10:30 a.m. A celebration of George’s life will be planned for June in the Lexington, MA area.

A private family interment of George’s ashes will be at the Bushnell National (Military) Cemetery on March 9, 2020.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Cornerstone Hospice, The Villages, FL, 32162.