George E. Chandler

Portland- George E. Chandler passed on peacefully to live eternally with his Lord Jesus Christ on January 20, 2019 following a valiant fight with congestive heart failure. His family was at his side. George was born in Portland, Maine on August 28, 1929 to Benjamin F. Chandler Sr. and Agnes Thompson. He grew up on Kellogg Street in the Munjoy Hill section of the city and frequently shared childhood memories of cherished times with the Brennan, Scanlon, Joyce and Mulkern families. He maintained these connections throughout his lifetime. He graduated from Portland High School in 1947. Following high school, George worked at Cushman's Bakery where he made a new set of friends including his supervisor, John Scanlon, who would later become his godfather and encouraged him to attend college. George graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, class of 1953 with highest honors and degrees in mathematics and economics. George served in the United States Army in Europe during the Korean War. He enjoyed a distinguished career with the New England Telephone Company retiring in 1987 as a District Manager, responsible for all business offices in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont and parts of Metro Boston. He knew the name of each of his workers and was famous for greeting every employee by name regardless of department or position. During his three decades as a manager and executive he never had grievance from one coworker and was delighted and proud when the International Union representatives attended his retirement party. His cheerful demeanor and sincere interest in people made George a natural leader. He was President of the South Portland/Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club as well as the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Rotary Club, and sports clubs, Pine Tree Swim Club and Nautilus Swim Club in which his children Ann Marie and Mark participated. He was also involved in numerous other organizations including United Way, top American Red Cross blood donor from his company many years consecutively. George verbalized great pride in leading the Kenneth Jordan Higgins Scholarship Fund and enjoyed assisting marginalized youth and newcomers to this country. George was known to "always look beyond the numbers" during his interviews then advocate fiercely to get youth the financial assistance they needed to pursue their academic dreams. It was very common for him to receive thank you notes and calls years later from recipients sharing their achievements. George was a Catholic of great faith with a strong affection for the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the church in which he converted to Catholicism. He was known to be a committed husband and hard worker, who would do anything he could to make his family more comfortable and secure no matter the cost. He always thought of others before himself, making an effort to encourage all people he encountered. George resided in Cape Elizabeth with his wife, Mary Foley Chandler, for many years. He turned down many opportunities and promotions in order to allow his children to experience the stability of remaining in the same neighborhood and school system that were so important to him as a youth. As a result, those who got to know him, even for a short time, loved and appreciated him. He and Mary loved golf and bowling and played on local teams. They were long time members of the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth. Following retirement, they moved to Florida. Mary predeceased George and he returned to Maine in 2017 to live at Birchwoods at Canco where he was warmly welcomed by the staff and loved participating in the many social offerings there. George was predeceased by his wife, Mary Foley Chandler; a brother, Benjamin F. Chandler Jr. He is survived by a daughter, Ann Marie Chandler of Cape Elizabeth; a son, Mark and his wife Christina Chandler of NY; a grandson, John Benjamin Chandler of NY; a granddaughter, Theresa and her husband Joseph Gulotta of NY; a great grandson Zachary Gulotta of NY; a sister, Madeline Chandler Barton of FL; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank the staff and friends at Birchwoods for their kindness which made George feel right at home and loved. To Francis Gallant, your dedication will never be forgotten, you brightened each day for our father with your visits. Eternal gratitude also to the Northern Lights Hospice team with recognition to Anne Disanto Taylor, Hospice RN/Case Manager, and Cheryl Douglass HHA, for your expertise, relentless advocacy and love, and to hospice volunteers, Bob Stewart and Sue Labosco and her dog Freda. Special appreciation to Dr. Ellis Johnson, of Maine Medical Partners, for all of your support and compassionate treatment throughout his health care journey. Visiting hours celebrating George's life will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Walker Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland, Maine. Prayers will be recited at 10:15am at the funeral home on Saturday, January 26, 2019 followed by an 11:00am Mass of Christian Burial at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, Maine. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland, Maine. To view George's memorial page, or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ConroyTullyWalker.com Those who wish make contributions in George's memory to: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101; St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, 307 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101, or Animal Refuge league, PO Box 336, Westbrook, ME 04098