- Welcome to Daley Life Celebration Studio, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
George Donges
George was a Merchantville guy who furthered his education at St. Joseph’s Prep and St. Joseph’s College. When he graduated, the Vietnam War was on and he joined the Air Force. He proudly served 26 years and saw most of the world. Along the way he was stationed in the Philippines and there collected his love, Sonia. It took some convincing, and some bribes to her dog, but they married 34 years ago on October 5. Saturday gifts of flowers, packing her lunch and spoiling Sonia lead to a strong union.rnGeorge was outgoing, enjoyed people, a great listener remembering details of things others shared. According to his sons he gave wise advise, was welcoming, and non judgmental. He kept meticulous records of everything he deemed important. As a youngster George attained the rank of Eagle Scout with troop 139 in Merchantville. He devoured books by the pound.rnIn addition to Sonia, George is survived by 3 sons: Gerald (Janemarie Collins), George (Elizabeth A), Geoffrey (Stefanie), a brother Ralph (Elizabeth R), a sister Anne Miriam Webber, and 2 grandchildrenrnCome celebrate 73 gregarious years Monday from 6 to 8 pm and Tuesday from 9 to 10 a.m. at Daley Life Celebration Studio, Swedesboro. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Swedesboro. Burial Harleigh Cemetery, Camden.rn
7 Comments
I am sorry I did not get to know him better. I am sorry for the Donges’ family for their lost.
As the Donges family have always been part of my extended family, I will remember “Uncle” George fondly. He was always warm and witty, and I always appreciated the special relationship he had with his brother, Ralph. the The stories and jokes and memories will live on…rnrnMy heartfelt sympathy goes out to the extended Donges family. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
I wish all the Family my Condolences….Uncle George was very close to my heart. I love you all.rnrnKathie and Family
To Ralph and Elizabeth Donges and Family.rnrnPlease allow this e-mail to serve as an extension of heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. I am a resident of Swedesboro, N.J. While I did not know your brother, George, I am a friend of Elizabeth, your wife. I am very fond of Elizabeth and cheerish our friendship. On behalf of my Family, The Cannady’s, we send our condolence.rnrnSabrina Cannady
Dear Sonia,George,Beth,Geoff,Stef and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you. We where so honored to be a part of the celebration for George’s life.George was one of the interesting,loving,generous men we have ever met.He welcomed our family with open arms and cared for our daughter as if she was his own. For that we will forever be thankful. George will be greatly missed by all that knew him and loved him. George never met a stranger..nYesterday was a wonderful celebration of a life so well lived. As I really enjoyed the good food,family and friends, I could not help to notice a void. That would be the presence of George, the smile we all loved. The smile that could warm anyone’s heart. Life is short and the sudden death of George reminds us to enjoy each and every day. It reminds me that a smile is free, to offer someone a smile could change a bad day to a good day. It reminds me to be kind and understanding, not judgemental.nSonia, we will always be here for you and your family. You are a true friend and I will never forget our morning talks at work. As you face each new day I pray you will remember you can turn to me for anything. If you need to talk, just call on me, listening is something I do well. To all of my in laws, we love you and we will always be here for you.
In 1968, George and I met up in Mexico City during the Summer Olympics there. One day we went and visited the pyramids of the Sun and Moon at Tenochtitlan. Predictably, there were lots of vendors selling knickknacks. We wandered around and haggled over stone ashtrays and such. When we compared notes I found out that George had paid about half of what I paid for the same thing. This was not right. I was fairly fluent in Spanish while George could barely order a beer. So I drifted along to see how he did it. As it turned out it was quite simple. George would frown when he concentrated. Heres how it played out. George would smile and point to an item. The vendor would say eight pesos. Georges smile went away, replaced by a frown as he tried to convert this to dollars and cents. This took time. The vendor began to fidget and quickly said seven pesos. The frown redoubled as he started the currency conversion process all over again. The vendor, now thinking he had seriously annoyed the large gringo, lowered the price again. The frown became a glower, and so on. Then George suddenly smiled and paid the guy. As we walked off he confided to me that he didnt understand why some people think haggling was hard, all you really had to do was be friendly and smile a lot. I didnt say anything at the time but I let him do the shopping for the rest of the trip. rn
I’m just learning of this news. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. I have good memories of Monsieur George, as I knew him, when he would come and visit my family during his travels. I remember him playing Perquackey and Scrabble with my mom and singing with my father. He was always just kinda part of our family when I was growing up. My condolences to you all.