George John Gercke Jr., of Charlottesville, passed away Tuesday morning, June 6, 2017,at the age of 68. The son of the late Sarah Agnes Givens of Lafayette, Louisiana, and George John Gercke of Staten Island, New York. George was born in Tokyo, Japan, and grew up in Tokyo, Falls Church, Virginia and Lafayette, Louisiana.
He graduated first in his class from Lafayette High School in 1966. He was the 1966 Louisiana state vehicle driving champion, and competed in the national championships in Washington, D.C. George studied Russian at Yale University, and after college worked in New York City as a cab driver and on Louisiana oil rigs. He moved to Charlottesville in 1974 to join brother, James, in a new construction business. Here he met Nancy Kremer. George and Nancy were married in 1981 and settled in Charlottesville, where he continued his career in construction.
He was an active board member of the Central VA chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute for many years, and served as an expert witness for construction litigation and mediation throughout his career. George had a hand in the planning and construction of many beautiful homes in Albemarle County, including the Squirrel Ridge neighborhood where he and Nancy lived and raised their daughter, Emily. George was well known and well loved in Charlottesville. Always jovial and with plenty of jokes at the ready, he made friends everywhere he went. He managed Emily's soccer teams and volunteered in her schools, constructing recreational equipment for use at Greer Elementary. A yoga instructor at ACAC, George spent as much time socializing at the gym as he did staying fit.
Other favorite pastimes included recreational softball and golf, bridge, sudoku, and word puzzles. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of anything needed to solve the New York Times crosswords, and enjoyed completing them often. In December 2016, George became a grandfather. He was thrilled to get to spend several months with his new grandson, Trevor, while Emily and husband, Chris, visited Charlottesville during their parental leave.
George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in early 2016. Though the illness robbed him of his short-term memory, he remained as happy as ever. He was smiling and delightful until the very end, watching Nats games whenever they played, still making new friends and enjoying good (or bad) puns every day.
George is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; daughter, Emily, son-in-law, Chris, and grandson, Trevor, of Vancouver, BC; brother, James and sister-in-law, Skip, of Thetford Center, Vt. and Rockbridge Baths, Va.; brother, Carl of Portland, Maine; as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by a half sister, Susan Oliver; and a step-sister, Susan LeJeune.
An informal celebration of life reception will be held at Vivace restaurant in Charlottesville, 2244 Ivy Rd, on Saturday, June 17, 2017,from 2 to 4 p.m. with time for sharing anecdotes beginning around 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
(Daily Progress)
He graduated first in his class from Lafayette High School in 1966. He was the 1966 Louisiana state vehicle driving champion, and competed in the national championships in Washington, D.C. George studied Russian at Yale University, and after college worked in New York City as a cab driver and on Louisiana oil rigs. He moved to Charlottesville in 1974 to join brother, James, in a new construction business. Here he met Nancy Kremer. George and Nancy were married in 1981 and settled in Charlottesville, where he continued his career in construction.
He was an active board member of the Central VA chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute for many years, and served as an expert witness for construction litigation and mediation throughout his career. George had a hand in the planning and construction of many beautiful homes in Albemarle County, including the Squirrel Ridge neighborhood where he and Nancy lived and raised their daughter, Emily. George was well known and well loved in Charlottesville. Always jovial and with plenty of jokes at the ready, he made friends everywhere he went. He managed Emily's soccer teams and volunteered in her schools, constructing recreational equipment for use at Greer Elementary. A yoga instructor at ACAC, George spent as much time socializing at the gym as he did staying fit.
Other favorite pastimes included recreational softball and golf, bridge, sudoku, and word puzzles. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of anything needed to solve the New York Times crosswords, and enjoyed completing them often. In December 2016, George became a grandfather. He was thrilled to get to spend several months with his new grandson, Trevor, while Emily and husband, Chris, visited Charlottesville during their parental leave.
George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in early 2016. Though the illness robbed him of his short-term memory, he remained as happy as ever. He was smiling and delightful until the very end, watching Nats games whenever they played, still making new friends and enjoying good (or bad) puns every day.
George is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; daughter, Emily, son-in-law, Chris, and grandson, Trevor, of Vancouver, BC; brother, James and sister-in-law, Skip, of Thetford Center, Vt. and Rockbridge Baths, Va.; brother, Carl of Portland, Maine; as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by a half sister, Susan Oliver; and a step-sister, Susan LeJeune.
An informal celebration of life reception will be held at Vivace restaurant in Charlottesville, 2244 Ivy Rd, on Saturday, June 17, 2017,from 2 to 4 p.m. with time for sharing anecdotes beginning around 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
(Daily Progress)
George John Gercke Jr., of Charlottesville, passed away Tuesday morning, June 6, 2017,at the age of 68. The son of the late Sarah Agnes Givens of Lafayette, Louisiana, and George John Gercke of Staten Island, New York. George was born in Tokyo, Japan, and grew up in Tokyo, Falls Church, Virginia and Lafayette, Louisiana.
He graduated first in his class from Lafayette High School in 1966. He was the 1966 Louisiana state vehicle driving champion, and competed in the national championships in Washington, D.C. George studied Russian at Yale University, and after college worked in New York City as a cab driver and on Louisiana oil rigs. He moved to Charlottesville in 1974 to join brother, James, in a new construction business. Here he met Nancy Kremer. George and Nancy were married in 1981 and settled in Charlottesville, where he continued his career in construction.
He was an active board member of the Central VA chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute for many years, and served as an expert witness for construction litigation and mediation throughout his career. George had a hand in the planning and construction of many beautiful homes in Albemarle County, including the Squirrel Ridge neighborhood where he and Nancy lived and raised their daughter, Emily. George was well known and well loved in Charlottesville. Always jovial and with plenty of jokes at the ready, he made friends everywhere he went. He managed Emily's soccer teams and volunteered in her schools, constructing recreational equipment for use at Greer Elementary. A yoga instructor at ACAC, George spent as much time socializing at the gym as he did staying fit.
Other favorite pastimes included recreational softball and golf, bridge, sudoku, and word puzzles. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of anything needed to solve the New York Times crosswords, and enjoyed completing them often. In December 2016, George became a grandfather. He was thrilled to get to spend several months with his new grandson, Trevor, while Emily and husband, Chris, visited Charlottesville during their parental leave.
George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in early 2016. Though the illness robbed him of his short-term memory, he remained as happy as ever. He was smiling and delightful until the very end, watching Nats games whenever they played, still making new friends and enjoying good (or bad) puns every day.
George is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; daughter, Emily, son-in-law, Chris, and grandson, Trevor, of Vancouver, BC; brother, James and sister-in-law, Skip, of Thetford Center, Vt. and Rockbridge Baths, Va.; brother, Carl of Portland, Maine; as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by a half sister, Susan Oliver; and a step-sister, Susan LeJeune.
An informal celebration of life reception will be held at Vivace restaurant in Charlottesville, 2244 Ivy Rd, on Saturday, June 17, 2017,from 2 to 4 p.m. with time for sharing anecdotes beginning around 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
(Daily Progress)
He graduated first in his class from Lafayette High School in 1966. He was the 1966 Louisiana state vehicle driving champion, and competed in the national championships in Washington, D.C. George studied Russian at Yale University, and after college worked in New York City as a cab driver and on Louisiana oil rigs. He moved to Charlottesville in 1974 to join brother, James, in a new construction business. Here he met Nancy Kremer. George and Nancy were married in 1981 and settled in Charlottesville, where he continued his career in construction.
He was an active board member of the Central VA chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute for many years, and served as an expert witness for construction litigation and mediation throughout his career. George had a hand in the planning and construction of many beautiful homes in Albemarle County, including the Squirrel Ridge neighborhood where he and Nancy lived and raised their daughter, Emily. George was well known and well loved in Charlottesville. Always jovial and with plenty of jokes at the ready, he made friends everywhere he went. He managed Emily's soccer teams and volunteered in her schools, constructing recreational equipment for use at Greer Elementary. A yoga instructor at ACAC, George spent as much time socializing at the gym as he did staying fit.
Other favorite pastimes included recreational softball and golf, bridge, sudoku, and word puzzles. He possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of anything needed to solve the New York Times crosswords, and enjoyed completing them often. In December 2016, George became a grandfather. He was thrilled to get to spend several months with his new grandson, Trevor, while Emily and husband, Chris, visited Charlottesville during their parental leave.
George was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in early 2016. Though the illness robbed him of his short-term memory, he remained as happy as ever. He was smiling and delightful until the very end, watching Nats games whenever they played, still making new friends and enjoying good (or bad) puns every day.
George is survived by his loving wife, Nancy; daughter, Emily, son-in-law, Chris, and grandson, Trevor, of Vancouver, BC; brother, James and sister-in-law, Skip, of Thetford Center, Vt. and Rockbridge Baths, Va.; brother, Carl of Portland, Maine; as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by a half sister, Susan Oliver; and a step-sister, Susan LeJeune.
An informal celebration of life reception will be held at Vivace restaurant in Charlottesville, 2244 Ivy Rd, on Saturday, June 17, 2017,from 2 to 4 p.m. with time for sharing anecdotes beginning around 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com.
(Daily Progress)
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