George C. Bartholomay, 82

George Charles Bartholomay, 82, of Columbia, died on August 26, 2011. He was the husband of Mary Louise (Fess) Bartholomay with whom he was married to for 58 years. He was preceeded in death by his parents George and Leona (Ludwig) Bartholomay and his grandson Thomas George Rainey. Survivors include his wife, daughter Nancy Bartholomay Rainey and son-in-law Phil H. Rainey, Jr. of Mount Joy, son G. Andrew Bartholomay and daughter-in-law Diane (Douglass) Bartholomay of State College, and son John M. Bartholomay of Mountville and Grandson Patrick A. Rainey of King of Prussia. He is also survived by a brother Richard Bartholomay of Rochester, NY and a sister Mary Ann (Bartholomay) Cooper of Rochester, NY.

He was born and raised in Rochester, NY and met his beautiful wife Mary Lou in the first grade at Holy Family Grammar School in Rochester, NY. He would joke: “I met Mary Lou in the First Grade but she didn’t propose ’til third grade.” He graduated from Edison Technical High School where he lettered in football and basketball and played trumpet in the swing band. George was an avid Browns and Phillies fan. He enjoyed coin collecting and reading mysteries.

George was an Army veteran who was drafted and served during the Korean Conflict. He spent much of his Army life playing football at a time when each base had its own competitive football team. He went to college on the GI bill and earned an Associate’s Degree in Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and then a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering from Indiana Institute of Technology in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He worked for Link Aviation, Barden Precision Ball Bearings and Industrial Retaining Ring, mostly in sales.

For the past several years he suffered with a brain illness Oliviopontocerebellar Atrophy (OPCA) which affected his ability to walk, talk, and swallow. Despite the debilitating and progressive nature of this disease, he retained a beautiful sense of humor and a joyful spirit. He loved his family and was up for any visit or outing. His laughing blue eyes and beautiful smile will be missed. He was a gem of a human being and a terrific husband, brother, father and grandfather. George resided at St. Anne’s Nursing Home and was a beloved resident both to the staff and residents.

Visitations will take place 5-7 PM, Tuesday, August 30th at the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory, 3110 Lititz, Pike, Lititz, PA and also 10-11 AM, Wednesday, August 31st in the Chapel of St. Anne’s Retirement Community. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation on Wednesday at 11 AM in the chapel with Msgr. Richard Onwaunibe as Celebrant. Final Commendation and Farewell will be 11 AM, Thursday, September 1st in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery, with military honors accorded by Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Anne’s Retirement Community, 3952 Columbia Ave., Columbia, PA 17512. To send the family online condolences, please visit SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory 717-560-5100