George Girard Bannan

SOUTH YARMOUTH — George Girard Bannan of South Yarmouth died peacefully at his home after fighting a courageous battle with cancer.

He leaves behind his devoted wife, Marian (Hoag) Bannan. He was the loving father of Susan Siljander and her husband, John, of Chelmsford, Kathleen Viton and her husband, Russell, of Grand Marais, Minn., Barbara Jones-Schroyer and her husband, Ty, of Duluth, Minn., Marilyn Bannan of Arlington, and Bonnie Lucente and her husband, John, of Townsend.

Born in Melrose to George and Alice (MacDonald) Bannan, he attended Lowell schools and enlisted in the Navy during World War II. George was stationed aboard the USS Whitney, AD-4, during the initial attack on Pearl Harbor. He served with the Navy until 1945. After the war ended, he joined the Coast Guard. In 1956, he became skipper of the Nantucket Lightship for three years. Lt. Cmdr. Bannan retired after 32 years of military service to his country. He then worked for the Town of Yarmouth Natural Resources Department for 10 years.

In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by a sister, Mary Mooney of Chelmsford. He also leaves seven grandchildren, Sara Clinton, Erik Siljander, Matthew Jones, Meghan Jones, Bannan Jones, Ashley Lucente, and Nicholas Lucente; and three great-grandchildren, Signe Jones, Liam Clinton, and Caroline Clinton. He also leaves his faithful dog, Rhodie.

Relatives and friends will be received at the Morris & O'Connor Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth, on Saturday, Dec. 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. A service will be held at 5 p.m.

Burial with military honors will be held on Monday, Dec. 10, at 11:15 a.m. at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne.

For guest book, printable obituary, or to send the Bannan family a personal condolence, visit www.MorrisOConnor.com.