George R. Gigon

George Roland Gigon, 93, of Wethersfield, CT passed away on July 14, 2023.  He was born the second of four boys to the late Auguste Armand Gigon, an electrical contractor, and Madeline Blomme Gigon, in New York City; and grew up in New Milford, NJ, where he spent an idyllic childhood raising chickens and racing homing pigeons, building model airplanes, riding his bicycle, editing the school paper, and playing sports. 

Excelling as a student athlete, George contributed to Hackensack High School winning three consecutive soccer championships.  He was also captain of the tennis team and continued to pick up a racquet into adulthood before taking up golf, a game he delighted in over the years, highlighted by a hole-in-one shot.  Post high school, George played varsity basketball and baseball at Stevens Hoboken Academy.        

George earned his Bachelor of Science in metallurgical engineering from Lehigh University, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, as well as Student Chemical, Metallurgy, and Brown Key societies.  He also held an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Appointed captain of the Lehigh freshman soccer team, George provided formidable defense his senior year as a fullback on the varsity team capturing the school’s first Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) soccer championship.  

After college, George served two years on active duty with the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps, Scientific and Professional Personnel, at Watertown, MA and Frankford, PA arsenals, and White Sands Proving Ground, NM.     

George’s keen intellect and industriousness, as well as interest in research and development, marketing and sales, management, and start-ups, along with his technical knowledge, strategic vision, and fierce entrepreneurial spirit, forged the way for a flourishing forty four year career in the powder metallurgy and ball bearing industries.    

During the first half of his professional life, George blazed a trail in metal powders production for applications in niche commercial and government defense sectors; implementing innovative manufacturing techniques, introducing new products, and expanding market share while adhering to quality and safety controls.  Starting as a metallurgist, he took on greater responsibilities and oversight as Plant Manager; Director and Manager of Manufacturing; Division Manager; and Vice President and General Manager with firms U.S. Bronze Powder Works, Inc.; Amalgamated Growth Industries, Inc.; Metal Atomizing and Processing Corp., Ltd., he co-founded; Canada Metal Company, Ltd.; and Valley Metallurgical Processing Co., Inc. of NJ.     

Regarded as a subject matter expert, George had been an American Society for Metals lecturer, and a member of the Aluminum Association, Metal Powder Industries Federation, and Canadian Standards Association.       

The second half of George’s career path involved overseeing all aspects of the operations of Hartford Ball Company (now Hartford Technologies, Inc.), Rocky Hill, manufacturing precision metal, glass, and plastic balls for bearing and ball markets; joining the firm as Vice President of Operations, promoted to Executive Vice President and General Manager, and assuming the helm as President until retiring.     

A chance blind date altered the course of George’s life when he met Katherine Louise Wynne, and a whirlwind romance ensued.  The couple would raise their children in Ontario, Canada; Ridgewood, NJ; Nantucket, MA; and Wethersfield; and celebrate their golden wedding anniversary.  George took immense pride in his family and was a patient, caring husband and father; a model of strength, integrity, and fairness. 

George was a voracious reader of books and newspapers, digesting information at a quick clip, and closely following the equity market in motion.  He regularly viewed news programs and sporting events, especially football, basketball, and baseball, and was a Red Sox fan.  

George enjoyed dining out, and occasional trips to the Blackjack tables at Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos - where he would “break even.”  He had coached town youth soccer, and was a former member of the Glastonbury Hills Country Club; Trinity Church, Wethersfield; and St. Mark’s Church, New Britain.  Having traveled extensively abroad for work, George preferred a quiet retirement closer to home.        

Despite his good looks, athleticism, classic sartorial style, and achievements, George displayed not a hint of vanity or conceit.  He exuded enthusiasm, had an amiable nature, even keel demeanor, and lighthearted sense of humor; always polite and genuinely interested in others.  Throughout his life George attributed his blessings to luck rather than the focus, diligence, ambition, business acumen, leadership, courtesy, and optimism he demonstrated.

George was preceded in death by his beloved wife Louise, and brothers Richard and Norman.  He is survived by his daughter Gwynne and son Gerard, who miss him dearly, as well as his brother Gerard, sisters-in-law Eileen and Constance, and numerous nieces and nephews, who remember him fondly.   

A celebration of George’s life will take place at a later date.  The family is grateful to Hartford Hospital, Apple Rehab, and Beacon Hospice; and appreciates donations to Lehigh University, designated for Lehigh Men’s Soccer in memory of George R. Gigon; Lehigh University - Information Processing, 306 S. New St., Suite 500, Bethlehem, PA 18015-1652; or online at mylehigh.lehigh.edu/msoccer