George A. Blanco, 97, of North Egremont, passed away Friday, June 14, 2024 in his home. Born January 6, 1927, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was the son of Ildefonso and Louis Valdes Blanco. He graduated in 1944 from Stuyvesant High School in New York City.
George entered World War II on September 20, 1944. He enlisted in the Navy V5 Program as an Aviation Cadet. His ratings held were AC, S2C, S1C, AS, and Aviation Cadet. He completed service schools as an aviation radioman. After stints in the Navy V-12 Unit in Missouri and Ohio, he was sent to the Naval Air Station in Illinois where he underwent training as a tail gunner destined for the Pacific theater. George was later honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on November 13, 1946.
After the war, George went on to attend New York University, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science from the School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance.
George married his wife Muriel “Mickey” Tuohy on January 27, 1951. Living in New Hyde Park on Long Island, they raised four sons. Together the family began visiting the Berkshires for skiing trips and eventually made the Berkshires their home.
After holding many jobs over the years, George bought into a family typewriter and adding-machine business in New York City. When the burgeoning Word and Data Processing technology began in the late 1970s, George sold his interest in the typewriter business and founded G. A. Blanco and Sons Inc. in 1976 to address the growing needs for the supplies associated with this new technology. Operating this business from the basement of his home in New Hyde Park, he moved the business and the family up to the Berkshires in August 1977.
George was an avid skier, golfer, and a businessman. He and his wife Mickey were well known amongst the social circles of the Great Barrington area, including many friends and eating establishments
George was also a very faithful fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers (until they went to Los Angeles thanks to Robert Moses) and the New York Giants.
George is survived by two sons, Edward of North Egremont and Douglas of Sarasota, Fla. He also leaves three granddaughters, Shannon, Katy (Colin), and Kierstan; two grandsons, Kevin (Tessa) and Joey; and two great-grandchildren, Parker and Brynlee. He also leaves his daughter-in-law Barbara (Thomas, who passed in 1999). George is predeceased by his wife Mickey and two sons, Thomas and Kevin.
The funeral service for George will be Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 10 a.m., at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA. Burial will follow at Saint Peter’s Cemetery in Great Barrington. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires, Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad, or the Egremont Fire Department through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to the family through the funeral home’s website.
