George Alfred Croft

George Alfred Croft, 64, of Ellington passed away at home on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, surrounded by his family.

Born in Boston on Oct. 23, 1949, he was the third and youngest child of the late George L. Croft and Isabel Cunningham Croft of Winchester, Mass.

He leaves his loving wife of 41 years, Carol Wiechniak Croft; four children, Michael Croft, his wife, Alisa, and their son Jonathan of Washington, Marianne and her husband, Dr. Thomas Gilmore, and their children Finnegan and Annabel of Tolland, Matthew Croft of San Diego, and Allison and her husband, Mark Conklin, of Washington; a brother, Evan Croft and his wife, Joan, of Cape Cod; a sister, Joanna Wormington of Virginia; seven sisters-in-law and their husbands who were like brothers and sisters to him; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

With bachelor's and master's degrees from Westfield State College, George taught high school students for 42 years, including 40 at East Windsor High School, where he was the 2005 East Windsor public schools' Teacher of the Year, coached cross-country, basketball, and track and field for many years, and was inducted into the East Windsor Athletic Hall of Fame. A student and teacher of the history of Western civilization, George enjoyed touring Europe with Carol, especially Italy, where he studied as an undergraduate.

He spent his summers teaching a love of the outdoors to young campers as a director at Camp Tohkomeupog in East Madison, N.H. A selfless teacher and skilled mentor, George enjoyed frequent expressions of appreciation throughout his life from many of the countless students, colleagues, families, and institutions that he left better than he found. A cabin at Camp Tohkomeupog and the track at EWHS bear his name.

He was always focused on the needs of others. He often helped children achieve more than they ever dreamed simply by showing confidence in them. He fundraised for and awarded dozens of scholarships for EWHS graduates to pursue higher education. In Ellington, George's service included work with the Community Scholarship Committee and coaching park and recreation teams.

Above all, he was a giving family man. For his children, his support and patience were never-ending. For his wife, his devotion and adoration were boundless. George was a husband, father, and grandfather who spent a lifetime making his family happy in every way.

George's family will receive relatives and friends for visitation Thursday Dec. 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Somers Funeral Home, 354 Main St. (Route 190), Somers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday Dec. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke Church, 141 Maple St, Ellington. (Please meet at church.) Committal will follow at Ellington Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the East Windsor High School Scholarship Fund (please note George in the memo of the check), 76 S. Main St., East Windsor, CT 06088; or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

To leave an online message of sympathy, visit

www.somersfuneralhome.com