Paul George

Longtime barber and political leader Paul George, 89, of Crisman Street, Forty Fort passed away Friday, July 3, 2009, after a short illness, in Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, surrounded by his loving family.

Mr. George opened his first shop in Forty Fort on June 12, 1942, and operated his most recent shop on Shoemaker Street from 1966 until his retirement in 2002.

When he opened his business, he charged 25 cents for a haircut. The cost went up over the years, but not by much, not even topping $8 when he hung up his clippers for good.

Mr. George frequently visited ill customers at their homes or hospital rooms to cut their hair — and the charge was always the same for them: free.

First elected to Forty Fort Borough Council in 1970, Mr. George served three four-year terms. As president of the Forty Fort Businessmen's Association in the early 1970s, he could be seen with "Santa Claus" presiding over the lighting of the borough's holiday decorations.

In 1973, Mr. George was elected chairman of the Republican Party of Forty Fort.

Mr. George was one of 12 children of Lebanese immigrants, Leo George and Viola Alias, who settled in Wilkes-Barre and owned a five-chair barber shop, beauty parlor, restaurant and beer garden.

After graduating from GAR Memorial High School, Wilkes-Barre, Mr. George obtained his barber's license at age 16. His older brother, Ike, taught Mr. George the trade of barbering.

On May 6, 1947, Mr. George married the former Margaret Clusky in Holy Trinity Church, Wilkes-Barre. Mrs. George is a retired executive secretary for Met Life.

Besides his bustling barber shop, Mr. George enjoyed a good game of pinochle or backgammon, watching sports and contentedly puffing his cigars in the backyard.

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Meg George Marshall, of Reston, Va.; and his granddaughter, Cassie George Marshall, also of Reston. Also preceding him in death were his parents and siblings.

In addition to his loving wife of 62 years, Margaret (Peg), Paul is also survived by his daughters, Christina Wood, Ashburn, Va.; Paulette Friedman, Mountain Top; grandchildren, Clay Wood, Los Angeles, Calif.; Jessica Wood, San Francisco, Calif.; Keri Friedman, Portland, Ore.; Marc Friedman, Burke, Va.; and Caitlin and Rebecca Marshall, Reston, Va.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. from Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Memorial Mass to be celebrated at 11 a.m. in Holy Name/St. Mary's Church, 283 Shoemaker St., Swoyersville, with Paul's nephew, the Rev. William S. George, S.J., president of Georgetown Preparatory School, Rockville, Md., officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Cemetery, Bear Creek Township.

Family and friends may call Tuesday, 9 to 10 a.m., at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Cassie Marshall be made to The Arc of Northern Virginia, 98 N. Washington St., Falls Church, VA 22046, (703) 854-3214.

For additional information or to send the family of Paul George an online message of condolence, you may visit our Web site at www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com.