George Stewart Murtha of Canton, CT left this world on December 24, 2025, he was 85.
He was born in New Britain, CT, the son of Mildred Carroll Murtha and George Lester Murtha, both deceased.
George was married to Liz Murtha, also a teacher, for over 50 years. He leaves her with many special memories of adventures, travel, and friends that they loved, both human and animal.
He graduated from Drew University and the University of Hartford prior to becoming a Special
Education teacher. However, his primary interest, and passion throughout his life was exotic cars, which he collected and sold.
George and his wife retired from teaching after 33 years of service, and George began a second career buying and selling Ferraris, he was a founding member of the Ferrari Club of America. George and Liz were also involved in the rescue and care of animals in distress, and devoted most of their time to this mission. They also took advantage of their retirement to travel the world. They went on Safari, visited Easter Island, enjoyed many South American countries, and fell in love with Peru. They discovered their love of the country and met indigenous people that they considered family. They traveled back and forth to visit these people and help them build a home, became Godparents to their children and celebrated many milestones with them. Two of these important people are Soledad Callanaupa and Mariluz Callanaupa of Chinchero, Peru.
George loved attending car shows with his vintage car collection, that included German cars that were built to drive on land and float on water. He went to Lime Rock every year with friends and was once invited to attend the famous Cannonball Race across the country.
In more recent years George took a great interest in CAMA, The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, located in Kent community. His step-father Eric Svensk had donated tools there in the past, and George took a great deal of pride in volunteering his time with them. He worked booths, and events and loved the comradery he found with the others who loved this piece of CT history.
George was known for his eclectic A Frame home in the woods in Canton. It was filled with interesting parts of his past, decorations and photos from other countries, many cats for many years, and a yard filled with llamas. George and Liz created a home that encompassed so much of their lives and interests that it was hard to visit and not learn a little bit about them and their lives. George left a legacy of memories for all the people that he touched.
George leaves behind his loving wife Liz, his brother Robert Svensk, and a recently reunited sister, Sally Cini. He was predeceased by his sister, Marjorie Butler, and his brother Donald Svensk, . He also leaves behind his nieces Dana Wichmann, Jorie Butler, and Ryan Mcintosh, and a nephew Eric Svensk. He has many great nieces and nephews. He leaves behind Soledad Callanaupa and the rest of his Peruvian family, and many great friends that he has known for a lifetime.
George continued to rescue cats right up until the end. He personally rescued thousands of cats from all parts of the world, and found them loving homes.
George would be most honored if people chose to remember him by donating to the shelters that he worked with most:
Rikki's Refuge of Orange, VA - https://rikkisrefuge.org/
Out to Pasture Farm and Rescue - https://www.outtopasture.org/
He was born in New Britain, CT, the son of Mildred Carroll Murtha and George Lester Murtha, both deceased.
George was married to Liz Murtha, also a teacher, for over 50 years. He leaves her with many special memories of adventures, travel, and friends that they loved, both human and animal.
He graduated from Drew University and the University of Hartford prior to becoming a Special
Education teacher. However, his primary interest, and passion throughout his life was exotic cars, which he collected and sold.
George and his wife retired from teaching after 33 years of service, and George began a second career buying and selling Ferraris, he was a founding member of the Ferrari Club of America. George and Liz were also involved in the rescue and care of animals in distress, and devoted most of their time to this mission. They also took advantage of their retirement to travel the world. They went on Safari, visited Easter Island, enjoyed many South American countries, and fell in love with Peru. They discovered their love of the country and met indigenous people that they considered family. They traveled back and forth to visit these people and help them build a home, became Godparents to their children and celebrated many milestones with them. Two of these important people are Soledad Callanaupa and Mariluz Callanaupa of Chinchero, Peru.
George loved attending car shows with his vintage car collection, that included German cars that were built to drive on land and float on water. He went to Lime Rock every year with friends and was once invited to attend the famous Cannonball Race across the country.
In more recent years George took a great interest in CAMA, The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association, located in Kent community. His step-father Eric Svensk had donated tools there in the past, and George took a great deal of pride in volunteering his time with them. He worked booths, and events and loved the comradery he found with the others who loved this piece of CT history.
George was known for his eclectic A Frame home in the woods in Canton. It was filled with interesting parts of his past, decorations and photos from other countries, many cats for many years, and a yard filled with llamas. George and Liz created a home that encompassed so much of their lives and interests that it was hard to visit and not learn a little bit about them and their lives. George left a legacy of memories for all the people that he touched.
George leaves behind his loving wife Liz, his brother Robert Svensk, and a recently reunited sister, Sally Cini. He was predeceased by his sister, Marjorie Butler, and his brother Donald Svensk, . He also leaves behind his nieces Dana Wichmann, Jorie Butler, and Ryan Mcintosh, and a nephew Eric Svensk. He has many great nieces and nephews. He leaves behind Soledad Callanaupa and the rest of his Peruvian family, and many great friends that he has known for a lifetime.
George continued to rescue cats right up until the end. He personally rescued thousands of cats from all parts of the world, and found them loving homes.
George would be most honored if people chose to remember him by donating to the shelters that he worked with most:
Rikki's Refuge of Orange, VA - https://rikkisrefuge.org/
Out to Pasture Farm and Rescue - https://www.outtopasture.org/
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Murtha, please visit our flower store.
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