George Douglas Green

Born on November 22, 1938, to Clara Sloan Green and Everton Green, George grew up in Blockville across the street from Green Brothers Lumber where he worked during high school and college vacations. Voted most mischievous and most stubborn for the senior superlatives of his 1956 class at Panama Central School, George retained these traits throughout his life. At PCS, he played trombone in the band, sang in the chorus, choraleers, and male quartet, performed in plays, played baseball, basketball, and volleyball, ran track, and was on the yearbook staff. George graduated from Paul Smith College as a forestry major in 1958 and soon married Sandra Gleason. He earned a wood products engineering degree from Syracuse University in 1961, and a law degree from The University of Denver in 1967 while working full-time and caring for his family.

George became a claims adjuster for Aetna in Denver, CO, later transferring to Clintondale, NY. In the Hudson Valley, George was elected town supervisor and chief fiscal officer for Plattekill and served on their zoning and planning boards. He worked as a licensed real estate broker and branch office manager, a Fuller Brush salesman, and chaired many church, civic, and charity organizations. George and Sandy created and operated a bed and breakfast. Returning home in 1986, they renovated a Civil War-era house on Chautauqua-Steadman Road and became proprietors of Plumbush Bed and Breakfast. George also designed their barn, renovated Ashville’s one-room schoolhouse to become Sandra’s residence, and served on the Chautauqua Town Board of Appeals.

A lifelong singer, George was a member of the Chautauqua Institution Choir, where he met Cathy in 2000. They sang together in Chautauqua Chamber Singers and Christ First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir, where George won the coveted attendance prize. He alternated tenor and bass in the Jamestown Harmony Express Barbershop Chorus, in the Poughkeepsie New Yorkers Barbershop Chorus, and the Gardiner Reformed Church Choir. A steadfast supporter of Cathy’s musical endeavors, he never missed her students’ recitals or her community orchestra performances, plus, they enjoyed holding hands as audience members. During two summers they participated in the Ashokan Fiddle and Dance Camp where George took up the banjo proving to be a diligent daily practicer. He even fiddled around on the violin himself for a while, taking lessons from Cathy. In later years, George observed Cathy’s students’ lessons and was amused by his interactions with the children.

George was a devoted husband who took tender care of Cathy during her cancer journey in 2006-7. They enjoyed exploring Alaska and traveling to China twice as teachers of conversational English. Described as “Mr. Fix-it,” George was always ready with a project and tools. Gifts of hammers and flashlights still remind friends and relatives of his thoughtfulness. He busied himself with home and yard projects, brush-hogging his land, and identifying trees while traipsing through the woods. Until dementia took over, George served on the finance committee and as a trustee at C1UMC. George was a generous man who took quiet pride in his charitable contributions that built a well and a home in Haiti. Even in death, his body will help educate future doctors via The University of Buffalo’s Anatomical Gift Program.

At 11:00, on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, joyful music will celebrate George’s life at Christ First United Methodist Church, 663 Lakeview Avenue in Jamestown. During the preceding hour, his family will greet friends in the atrium. This day before Thanksgiving would have been George’s 85th birthday. He was grateful for loving care from Cathy and caregivers from Chautauqua Adult Day Services, Team (Terri Lynn) Best, Heritage Green Skilled Nursing Home, and Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, especially appreciating Karen Suber’s music therapy.

George married Catharine Regis of Jamestown in 2001 and Sandra Gleason of Ashville in 1958. GiGi, their German shepherd, helped George and Sandy raise three children: Douglas Green (Deborah) of Wilmington, DE; Michael (Lynn) Green of Durham, NC; and Michelle Green of Pittsboro, NC. Also surviving are siblings: Lowell Green of Lakewood, NY; Gerry Green of Homosassa, FL; and Susan Rhoda of Hemlock, NY; four grandchildren: Collin (Amy) Green of Cincinnati, OH; Sean (Emily) Green of Garner, NC; John Green and Ava Green, both of Wilmington, DE; two great-grandchildren: Piper and Emeris Green of Cincinnati, OH; and seven nieces and nephews.

If you wish to honor George with a charitable donation, please consider The University of Buffalo Foundation in support of the Anatomical Gift Program, Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, Alzheimer’s Association, World Vision, or a charity of your choice. Many thanks.