George Brody

George Brody, devoted husband, father and grandfather, died at The Essa Flory Hospice Center in Lancaster on Jan. 6, 2009, after a long illness. He was 90 years old.

Born on March 26, 1918, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the second of 10 children of the late Thomas and Helen (Elias) Brody. He outlived all his brothers and sisters: Benjamin, Leo, Gabriel, Paul, Euniss, Ruth, Julia, Camilla and Nancy.

George was married to Martha (Allan) Brody, who survives him. High school sweethearts, they celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on Dec. 11, 2008. They lived on Conestoga Boulevard in Lancaster.
George’s youth was filled with hardship and adventure. During the Great Depression, he left home, riding the rails around the United States before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps. He also was an amateur boxer and, briefly, a minor league baseball player. His sons and grandchildren inherited his passion for sports (especially the New York Yankees), and he loved to watch their games and share his knowledge with them.

During World War II, he served in the Second Infantry Division and then in the Army Air Force at Hondo, Texas.

After the war, he resumed his education, returning home to Wilkes-Barre to finish high school. Thanks to the G.I. Bill, he went on to Wilkes University, where he received a bachelor’s degree, and Temple University, where he received a master’s. He also attended the University of Delaware.

An educator, George spent his career at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. He taught English and journalism and helped coach football. He made a strong impression on generations of students, many of whom stayed in touch with him long after they graduated. When he retired, he was the director of the Office of Admissions and Counseling. In 1997, the school awarded him an honorary doctorate.
In retirement, George was a substitute teacher in the Manheim Township and Lancaster City school districts. He also volunteered as an instructor in a class on current affairs at Conestoga View and as a tour guide at Historic Rock Ford Plantation and North Museum.

George liked to help others, despite his own serious ailments. (He suffered his first heart attack at age 38; doctors gave him months to live.) For this quality, he was nominated to be one of President George H.W. Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light.”
George belonged to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Lancaster. He was a Mason in Andrew H. Hershey Lodge #43.

Every morning, George would gather with fellow veterans for coffee and conversation at a McDonald’s. In the afternoon, he and his wife would go for drives around the Lancaster County countryside. Once a month, they and their friends would have a poker night.
George’s intelligence had a restlessness to it. He enjoyed searching for facts in history and baseball. That led to wide reading. Growing up, his grandsons spent many happy hours leafing through his library.

George had a love of language and passed that on to his sons and grandchildren. He wrote an  autobiography and two novels. His son had one of the novels, a love story, published last Christmas. “This is the nicest gift anybody could get before dying,” George said upon unwrapping it. Always a tough guy, he was touched.

He was tender, too. That was plain to see whenever he was with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  They will miss his cheerful greeting – “Hey, buddy!” – and his elaborate handshakes. His colorful stories will live on through them.

In addition to his wife, George is survived by a son, Bruce A. Brody, of Springfield, Va., and Bruce’s children, Donald G. Brody, of Las Vegas, Nev., Jennifer A., wife of Patrick Gould, of Honolulu, Hawaii, Mary G. Brody, John E. Brody and Joseph P. Brody, all at home.
George and Martha’s elder son, Stephen J. Brody, died in 2000. He and his wife, Jo Anne, had four sons: Stephen G., husband of Julie A. and father of Lilian E. Brody, of Lancaster; Joseph R., husband of Rhonda L. and father of Alaina R. Brody, of Lititz; Michael A., husband of Marcie A. and father of Benjamin S. and Anthony W. Brody, of Lancaster; and C. John Brody, of Lancaster.

Jo Anne remarried in 2003 and is the wife of Ronald S. Plutnicki, whom George and Martha warmly welcomed into the family, along with Ronald’s children and grandchildren: Ryan C., husband of Molly L. Plutnicki, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Lisa M., wife of Peter G. and mother of Peter W., Kali M. and Corinne E. Coleman, of Naples, Fla.; and Eric M. Plutnicki, of Chicago.

The viewing will be on Monday, Jan. 12 from 9 a.m to 11 a.m., with the funeral service to follow, at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Chapel, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz 17543.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the George Brody Scholarship Fund at the Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Alumni Association, 750 E. King St., Lancaster, PA, 17602, or to Hospice of Lancaster County, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA, 17604. To send an online condolence or for more information please visit www.snyderfuneralhome.com