Jennifer Mcewan
George was just a teenager when I knew him, but I recognised him as soon as the lovely photo of him with his distinguished grey hair came up on my messages.
My family got to know George while our father was working in Washington DC for 3 years. My brother Tony and George were best friends in high school. It was a special friendship that lasted a lifetime and all the more remarkable from the fact that they were across the other side of the world from each other, except for those 3 years and a brief treasured visit. Tony was very proud that Carol and George chose him to be a godfather to Whitney.
I think my parents felt it would be disrespectful for me to call George by his nickname Geb when I was just 6-8 years old, so I will keep calling him George as I write this. I remember George with a great deal of affection. He was a benign presence in my life for the years we spent in Washington. He always treated me with kindness which meant a lot while my dear brother thought of me as rather a pest in our younger years.
George and Tony shared a passion for cars and driving. I remember feeling quite mystified and alarmed one night when I saw water pouring out from under our garage door. However, when I turned the corner to go back to the house, I could see Tony and George inside the garage with the lights on, laughing and chatting with a couple of their friends. It turned out they were actually washing my parents’ British saloon car in there, throwing sponges and water at each other in the process. What led to the undercover car wash remains a mystery.
Another vivid memory is of the night George drove Tony and I out to get takeaway hamburgers. This was a great treat for me, as I was usually not allowed on any such excursion. The boys were happily chatting away in the front. The car must have had bucket seats as I remember sitting in the back and being able to see all the bright, prettily coloured lights on the dashboard.
Dear Carol, of course we’ve never met, but years ago I was so glad when I learned of Geb’s happy family life. We are all thinking of you and your family at this time and sending love and best wishes to you.
Jenny McEwan née Hodges