Obituary of LAWRENCE A. GEORGE

Lawrence A. George died Tuesday morning, December 22, 2009 at Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virgina following a long illness. He was 76. Born in Belladrum, Guyana, he immigrated to the United States in the 1960's, settling in Newark. He had been a resident of Elizabeth and then Roland Heights and Riverside, California before moving to Suffolk, Virginia 7 years ago. Mr. George earned his BS in chemistry from Howard University, and his Masters and PhD in chemistry from Alameda University. He had worked as a chemist with the Emery Company in California before retiring in 1996. Previously, he worked many years in the same capacity with the Hoffman LaRoche Company in Clifton, NJ. Mr. George was a co-founder, past-president and longtime member of the Guyanese Cultural Association, and founder and coordinator of the Belladrum Church Association Help Group. Survivors include his wife Viola V. (nee Gonsalves); his eight children, Marilyn Pollydore of California, Lonie George Burton of Washington DC, Tina Washington of Washington DC, Barbara George Johnson of Hillside, Janice "Shaan" George Suarez of Elizabeth, Larry George Jr. of Maryland, Denise George Carroll of Elizabeth, and Jermaine A. George of Irvington; three sisters, Rose, Anne and Margaret; a brother, Euticus; and his grandchidlren, Colin Pollydore, Antonio Carter, Ramsey Washington, Romel Washington, Nia Johnson, Noni Johnson, Manuelle Suarez, Elon Suarez, Tyron Carroll Jr., Dezmond George, and Jerchelle George. He was also a cousin to the Patterson, Reynolds, and Mitchell families, and a brother-in-law to the Gonsalves, Sampson, and Thomas families.