George C. Fero

Age 81, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at home surrounded by his loving, devoted, and caring family.On this same day, he celebrated his last date with his beloved Vonda.He passed away due to complications from a thyroid storm and the removal of his thyroid and a large tumor. George was born May 14, 1927 in Townsend, NY, the son of the late Ray Leo and Bertha (Kniffin) Fero.His brother, Lester Fero; sister, Frances Fero Johnson; and his beloved first wife, Joanne Plummer in 1981, also predeceased him.His loving wife, Vonda Hettich, with whom he would have celebrated 26 wonderful years of life and love together on the 27th of November, survives him. George is also survived by his beloved children, daughters, Sue (Phil) Marchand, Rochester, NY; Cindy (John) Davies, Syracuse, NY; son, David G. Fero, Cortland, NY; sisters, Wilma Johnson and family; Alice Stoll and family; Shirley and John Stanton and family; brother-in-law, Robert (Donna) Hettich and family of Towanda; special niece, Denise Mitchell; sister-in-law, Nila (Gordon) Rumsey and family of Waverly; grandchildren, Matthew, Lisa, Jennifer, and Angela; Elizabeth and Emily; Derek; along with 6 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.Other survivors include friends, church friends, tennis and table tennis friends, especially Harrison Dann, Fred Lawrence, and Dave Blowers; Friday night fish fry friends, Janet and Mike Madigan; Bob and Rosie Drake; favorite teacher and friend, Ed Coon and his wife, Florence; caregivers at Gentiva Services, Jessica, Debbie, and Edith; personal caregivers, Tyanna Rawlings, Mary Harris; carpenter, Alvin Janowski; special neighbor, Debbie Hornsby.George Fero was born in Townsend, NY and grew up in Beaver Dams, NY.His education started in a 2-room schoolhouse, and at one point of time, he was the only eighth grader there.George has always liked sports and played baseball and tennis while in school.He attended the University of Michigan.After school he served in the Army Air Corps as a surveyor until 1947, stationed in Germany.There he participated and won many table tennis tournaments.After his term in the service, he applied to the Dept. of Transportation in Hornell's Regional Office, where he was in charge of construction projects.Later, around 1965, he was assigned to the Owego office as assistant resident engineer, where he inspected bridges, gave permits for properties, and was the prime person investigating territorial accidents on NYS highways, retiring in 1988.George lived in Pine City and attended the Pennsylvania Avenue United Methodist Church, when his wife Joanne passed away in 1981.He was baptized on March 27, 1983 at the Southside Baptist Church, and received the Right Hand of Fellowship on April 10, 1983.George was very active in his church.He was the church treasurer for many years; taught the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class; was a member of the choir; and was a Deacon.He was in charge of Tennis Doubles and taught summer tennis at Broadway School for beginners.George was elected to the Corning Hall of Fame for Table Tennis/Tennis.Family and friends are invited to call at the Olthof Funeral Home, Inc., 1050 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira/Southport on Sunday, November 30, 2008 from 3 to 6 PM and on Monday, from 11 AM to 12 PM at the Southside Baptist Church, 601 Pennsylvania Ave., Elmira.Funeral services honoring George's life will follow the visitation at the church.The Rev. David Daniels will officiate.Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, where the Chemung County Veterans Honor Squad will accord George full military honors. In honor of George's love for food and concern for others, the family requests donations of non-perishable food items or monetary donations be given at the time of the service for the Southside Baptist Food Pantry.In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Southern Tier Hospice, 11751 E. Corning Rd., Corning, NY 14830 or to the Chemung County SPCA and Humane Society, 2435 Route 352, Elmira, NY 14903. A 'Candle of Remembrance' may be left for the family in obituaries atwww.olthof.com .A Life Tribute video celebrating George's life can be viewed at: videos.lifetributes.com/41457 . Leave a Loving Legacy - Olthof Funeral Home, Inc.