Obituaries
George Albert Stoddard, 102, Dies
He was a World War II veteran and longtime employee of the VAMC.
George Albert Stoddard was born in Springfield, MA on October 2, 1908. When he was a teenager he relocated to the harsh streets of New York City. He took a job as a messenger on Wall Street and just before the Great Crash of '29 he took a position as a cook at the then newly built in Northport.
George worked hard and proved himself at the VAMC, and in a very short time was promoted to Chief Cook where he oversaw the preparation of meals for the thousands of patients from July 1929 until his retirement in October 1967.
George also dedicated himself to the service of others and his community. He was a , Northport and on October 28th, 2008 celebrated 65 years in this fraternal order. He had risen to the degree of Master Mason on May 23, 1939.
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When the United States entered World War II, George was given a choice to stay at the VA and continue serving his country by providing meals to wounded soldiers or enlist in the US Army Air Corps and fight for his country. He was told if he enlisted his job at the VA would be there when he returned. The choice was easy for this man of service and he enlisted.
Because of his skills, he become a baker in the US Army Air Corps, 39th Mess Corps and provided the troops with bread and baked goods for the War. He was Honorably Discharged in October 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Upon the War's end he returned to his post at the VA and continued to provide nourishment to his fellow soldiers for the next 22 years.
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Since 1929, George had been living in staff housing at the VA Hospital but after his return from WWII he purchased a piece of land in East Northport and built his home with his own hands… a home that will forever provide security, shelter and warmth for his family.
In 1988, George married the love of his life, Anne (nee McAllister), at in East Northport - a church where he was a member for over 70 years. George and Anne enjoyed almost 23 years of laughs, happiness and love. George became a father and role model to Anne's daughter, Mary (Frey), and later a grandfather to her children, Christopher George Frey and Stephen Albert Frey.
George spent his retirement of 44 years helping others, caring for his family, working on his property, enlightening his mind and loving his life.
Visitation will be at Brueggeman Funeral Home, 522 Larkfield Road, East Northport.
For directions to funeral home please visit their website at: www.bfhli.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2011 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.
Interment at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Wednesday, July 13, 2011 11AM
In lieu of flowers, George's wish was for donations to be made to:
Camp Turk - Masonic Youth Camp