George W. Robertson

CAMBRIDGE George W. Robertson, 85, of South Union Street, died Saturday, July 19, 2008, at Albany Medical Center after a brief illness. He was the husband of Helen Heath Robertson. A Cambridge native, George was born June 24, 1923, at Mary McClellan Hospital, the only son of George Woodworth Robertson, Sr. and Hazel Bentley Robertson. He graduated from Cambridge Union School, Class of 1940. George joined the U.S. Army in 1943, and served with the 383rd Regiment of the 96th Infantry Division. Cpl. Robertson saw action in the Philippines, was wounded in Okinawa and was awarded a Purple Heart. While attending the ASTP program for the U.S. Army in Kalamazoo, Mich., he met Helen. They were married June 14, 1944. After the war George used the G. I. Bill to attended Farmingdale College, where he studied agriculture. He graduated in 1948 with an Associate's Degree and returned to Cambridge. He worked for over 40 years in the milk industry, retiring in November 1990, from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, where he was a milk inspector. He was a devout member of Embury United Methodist Church in Cambridge, which he joined in 1951, and a member of the Captain Maxson Post No. 634 of the American Legion. The Masonic Brotherhood was an important part of George's life. He was member of the Cambridge Valley Lodge Free & Accepted Masons No. 481 for 57 years, where he held many positions including Master, Chaplin Secretary for many years and newly installed Senion Warden. He was also a member and former Commander of the Commandery; thrice Illustrious High Priest of Federal Chapter No. 10 Royal Arch Masons and a member of the Oriental Shrine. He was Patron of the Order of Eastern Star No. 147 seven years. Along with his beloved wife of 64 years, he is survived by seven children: Jean Steele of Williamstown, Mass., Donald Robertson and wife, Lillian, of Binghamton, James Robertson and wife, Laura, of Greenwich, Alan Robertson and wife, Susan, of Cambridge, Judith Hollowell and husband, William, of Gila Bend, Ariz., Sue Robertson and husband, Dean Motsiff, of Cambridge and David Robertson and wife, Kristen Narkiewicz, of Cambridge; 19 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and several cousins. A memorial service to honor and remember the life of George W. Robertson will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. at the Embury United Methodist Church, 41 East Main St., Cambridge. George's ashes will be buried with military honors at Woodlands Cemetery in a private ceremony. The family requests memorial donations be made to either The Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or the Embury United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Ackley & Ross Funeral Home, Cambridge.