George A. Shaler
July 18, 1962 ~ March 21, 2026
Born in: Northampton, MA
Resided in: Portland, ME
Portland – George A. Shaler, 63, passed away after a stroke on March 21, 2026, at a Portland Hospital, with his family at his side. George was born on July 18, 1962, in Northampton, MA, of the late Janet (James) and George Shaler Sr.
George’s childhood was unconventional and exploratory – a prelude to a life spent bucking conventions and seeking to learn more about the world and the people in it. George’s dad, Al, was a teacher at The Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Massachusetts. When George’s mom, Janet, passed away far too young, his school community helped Al raise him along with siblings Jim and Elizabeth. His summers in the woods on Kelm Lake and time on campus and at Hamilton College – including communal meals, ultimate frisbee games, a never-ending parade of interesting people, and Grateful Dead shows – were formative influences. A committed introvert, after college he solo hiked the entire Appalachian trail, particularly relishing the 100-Mile Wilderness for its steady supply of swimming holes. He fittingly chose “Curious George” as his trail name.
George carried that curiosity with him for the rest of his life. He asked excellent questions and prided himself on deep listening and remembering details about people. He didn’t particularly want to talk about himself, but he’d talk all day long about you, your family, your pets, sports trades, and local elections. And he remained literally and figuratively a trail blazer — carving his own path, enjoying nature to its fullest whether on foot, bike or cross-country skis, and painting trail markers as a volunteer trail maintainer. He brought quiet commitment and leadership to issues he cared about deeply, including justice policy and public health. Among his professional passions, he guided efforts to implement school-based health centers while at the Catherine Cutler Institute for Health & Social Policy at the University of Southern Maine and in various roles in West Virginia. He had a knack for connecting with children and mentoring young adults. He served as a board member and president at both the Justice Information Research Network and The Children’s Center, where he served on the board for more than 20 years.
George gave endless gifts of service and encouragement (and dad jokes) to his spouse, children and cats. Jill was his equal partner in all things – travel, outdoor adventures, and family decisions. Jill knew from their first date that he would loyally care for her, challenge her, and be an ally as they navigated life. He had never-ending pride in Jonna and Shay, whose academic, athletic, service, travel, and social endeavors brought him joy and fulfillment. He was an avid reader, trivia sage, music lover, devil’s advocate, and sports fan, particularly the UNC Tar Heels from his graduate school alma mater and all Boston teams. His comfort in his own skin served as a model and inspiration. He leaves us far too soon.
George is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Jill Rosenthal; children, Jonna and Shay Rosenthal; siblings and in-laws, James and his wife Ann Shaler, Elizabeth Shaler dos Santos, Cheryl Rosenthal and her husband Ed Blum, and Dan and his wife Julie Rosenthal; nieces and nephews, Olwen and Griff Shaler, Wallace dos Santos, and Ben and Anna Rosenthal, and other extended family members.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Congregation Bet Ha’am, 81 Westbrook St., South Portland, ME 04106. Arrangements are under the direction of Conroy-Tully Walker Cremation, Funeral & Gathering Center, 300 Allen Ave. Portland, ME.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in George’s memory to The Children’s Center, 721 Stevens Avenue Portland, Maine 04103, Maine Women’s Lobby, 1 Weston Court Suite 203A, Augusta, Maine 04330. or the Eastern Trail Alliance, PO Box 250, Saco, ME 04072.
Services
Memorial Service: Sunday, March 29, 2026 3:00 pm
Congregation Bet Ha’am
81 Westbrook St.
South Portland, Maine 04106
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GeorgeA.ShalerMemorial Service
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Mary Anne James
We are so sorry to hear of George’s death. What a loss for all of you as his family—and for the community. We wish we were in the country to attend his funeral and offer you support. Please know that Joe and I send our love and sympathy on this tragic loss.
Dear Jill,
I just heard about the passing of your dear husband, and I am deeply saddened. I am sure many feel the same shock. Although I only met him on a few occasions, I could clearly sense his kindness, warmth, and gentleness.
I wanted to express my heartfelt condolences to you during this very difficult time. I would also like to share one of my favorite Bahá’í quotes on life after death, which has brought me comfort:
“To consider that after the death of the body the spirit perishes is like imagining that a bird in a cage will be destroyed if the cage is broken, though the bird has nothing to fear from the destruction of the cage. Our body is like the cage, and the spirit is like the bird… if the cage becomes broken, the bird will continue and exist. Its feelings will be even more powerful, its perceptions greater, and its happiness increased…”
May you find comfort in the cherished memories you shared, and may you be surrounded by love and support.
With deepest sympathy, Parivash Rohani
I am so sorry to read the sad news that George is gone. He was a good neighbor and a good person. I’ve thought of him often over the years, and especially missed our regular trail-repair hikes and the fun conversations that we had.
My sympathies to Jill, Jonna and Shay, and all who loved him. — Mike
Al Shaler was one of my favorite teachers (masters as they were known back then). For my senior year, I had the pleasure of living in the same dormitory where the Shaler family resided. The daily interactions with the Shalers fostered a warm and supportive environment, and while details escape me, I’m sure that George was an important part of the relationship.
Sad to hear of George’s passing. Too young.
George was a behind-the-scenes public health hero. His work built a foundation that so many others – including myself – heavily relied on. He will be sorely missed by Maine’s public health community. My sincere condolences to his family.
I wish his family comfort during this difficult time, as well as the gradual healing that comes with time.
I/we at Deering are so very sorry for your sudden loss of George/your dad and are sending you our heartfelt prayers and thoughts from the entire RAMily at DHS, and from all our coaches, staff and teams. We are sending you our love and are so sorry for your loss. George was a great neighbor and a good person, and such a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of Deering Athletics and of Jonna’s and Shay’s teams too!!! We loved having him as a Deering super-fan and appreciated his support and passion for sports and all things Deering Rams sports too, and as such a great neighbor to everyone. We will miss him on campus and at all our athletic events and walking around Memorial Field too, especially for Rams soccer/lax games.
We are thinking of you all and sending our heartfelt condolences to you during this so difficult and sad time. Your dad was such a great guy, loyal neighbor, community member, superfan, and he will be greatly missed, but we appreciate all he gave to Deering and the local community in so many ways, and how he supported your teams and all our Deering sports teams too! I am so sorry and I am thinking of you all, and sending love.
My deepest sympathies to Jill, Jonna and Shay, and all who loved him. — Michael Daly, DHS
I knew George as a colleague as the University of Southern Maine. I had great respect for his scholarship related to criminal justice, which routinely informed my own research. I also admired his commitment to cultivating compassionate relationships with those in his community. He was thoughtful, gentle, intelligent, and kind. We will miss him very much. My deep condolences to his family.
George was a public health mensch and will be deeply missed!
I had the opportunity to work with George just a few times in my role at the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. He was a thoughtful, committed, and deeply caring human who brought brains, heart, and a willingness to roll up his sleeves and do the thing to his work. Our world was better for his presence. My condolences to all who are grieving his loss.