Obituaries

George Bernard Shire, 103

December 08, 2014

George Bernard Shire, age 103, passed away on Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Mennonite Home in Lancaster where he resided for the past two years. He was predeceased in 1992 by his wife, Gertrude Shapiro Shire, with whom he celebrated 53 years of marriage.

George was born Joseph Petsonk, the son of the late Helen and Alter Petsonk, in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1911. The Petsonks moved to Scandinavia from Poland to escape hard times in that country. When George was three years old, the family immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island. While living in New York City, the Petsonks could no longer care for him, and he was left at an orphanage.

He was adopted by Leo and Sadie Shire of New York City, and his name was changed to George Shire. He graduated from PS 165 in New York in 1925 and from George Washington High School in Manhattan in 1929. He also attended the City College of New York. While at George Washington High School, he became friends with a boy named Edward, who went home and told his mother that he may have found his brother George, for whom she had been searching. After re-uniting with his birth family, George maintained contact with them throughout his life.

As a young man, George worked in his father Leo’s shoe store on the first floor of the Endicott Hotel in New York City. He also worked as a copyboy for the New York Times. George was employed by the federal government for 25 years, first at Griffith Air Force Base in Rome, NY during World War II, then at the former Olmsted Air Force Base in Middletown. He took accounting courses from the University of Scranton and was employed for 10 years in the accounting department of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation before retiring.

George lived in Harrisburg until 1995, when he moved to Lancaster to be near his son and daughter-in-law. He was a member of Temple Beth El, Lancaster, and was a former member of Congregation Chisuk Emuna, Harrisburg.

George had a memorable 100th birthday celebration in 2011. He was recognized on the “Today” Show by Willard Scott. He was crowned King for a Day at Oak Leaf Manor. And he was the special guest at his granddaughter’s wedding, where everyone sang “Happy 100th Birthday”.

George was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He was loved by all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed.

George is survived by two sons, Bernard F. Shire, husband of Marcella D. Shire of Lancaster, and Laurence I. Shire, Fairfield, CT; a daughter, Laura Beth Shire, Harrisburg. Also surviving is a granddaughter, Meriel Shire, Fairfield, CT, married to Alex Rubenstein; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, William and Eddie, and a sister Annette.

The family would like to thank the staff of Oak Leaf Manor, Millersville and the Mennonite Home for the loving care and help they provided to George over the years.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 12 at 10 am at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Crematory, 3001 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA 17543, with Rabbi Geoffrey Goldberg, Ph.D. officiating. There will be a visitation for family and friends at the funeral home before the service from 9 to 10 am. Interment will be in Chisuk Emuna Cemetery in Harrisburg. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in George’s memory to Temple Beth El, 1836 Rohrerstown Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 or the Mennonite Home Benevolent Fund, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601.

Shiva will be observed Saturday December 13 at 7 pm and Sunday December 14 at 4 pm at the home of Bernie & Marcy Shire, 29 Conestoga Woods Road, Lancaster, PA 17602.

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Condolences to the Family

December 29, 2014

Dear Larry, Meriel, Bernie, Marcie, and family,
We will never forget how sweet George was. We want you to know that he touched everyone that he interacted with in a beautiful waY. We’ll always remember his beautiful smile and warm heart. His beauty comes through in his family. He’ll always be watching over you all. Sending you hugs with God’s love. We will always be here for you!
Love, Michelle and Angelo Amaranto
We love you George!

December 21, 2014

I will miss George greatly.  Through the first 20 years of my life, he was a tremendous influence on me.  Perhaps even more than my own parents.  George was my “second father,” and Gertrude my second mom.  Together, they helped me navigate my  often difficult youthful years. George always had the right thing to say at the right time; the right advice when it was needed the most.  I owe you much, old friend…very much!  Bless you!

December 14, 2014

Dear Bernie and Marcella,
You took good care of the grand gentleman and I know you will miss him.  Bill and I send our sympathy to you.  I know you always spoke of Mr. Shire with love and humor.  Sincerely,  Paula and Bill  Fogarty

December 10, 2014

ברוך אתה ×™×™ אלהינו ×ž×œ×š העולם דיין האמת
יי ינחם אתכם בתוך שאר אבלי ציון וירושלים
May the hope of resurrection give you peace.
Respectfully,
Frantz

December 10, 2014

On behalf of the the McDonald and Gomes Families of Fairfield, Ct., I’d like to say that George was a great friend, light-hearted and quite the intellectual. Thank you so much Larry and Meriel for thinking so much of us to share yor magnificent Dad with us.
I will miss him in his “invigorated youth” of just 20 to 30 years ago when he was “Papa Shire” to me. Yes, I miss him. Rest peacefully.

December 10, 2014

Audrey & Eli Weinberg and family extend condolences to the family of George Shire.  We know Larry Shire for a long time and he exemplifies the wonderful traits passed down from his father. We wish the whole Shire family pleasant memories of their parents as they move on through life.

December 10, 2014

George was such a wonderful, kind and happy spirited man! He always had a big smile on his face and a great story to tell. George will surely be missed by all!

Visitation
Friday, December 12, 2014
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
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Services
Friday, December 12, 2014
10:00 AM
Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory
3110 Lititz Pike
Lititz, PA 17543
Map and Directions

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