GEORGE A. MARKELL

I was so touched that so many people came to his memorial party and so appreciated the wonderful stories and tributes. Thank you, everyone, for sharing with us!

I was proud to be his colleague and friend. His stance on good journalism was inspiring. And, he was damned fun to hang out with.

I'm so sad to hear of George's passing. We go back a long time - dated in 8th grade, 11th grade, college and again in our 50's! I know that Patchen was the love of his life.
I have so many memories with George and am so sorry for your loss.

George was a great guy with a humanistic outlook and terrific sense of humor. We worked together on The Chronicle copy desk, also as Guild reps, and played a lot of poker together while at the paper and long afterward. I feel honored to have been his friend.

George and I used to talk poetry on the late shift on the Chronicle copydesk. I was always taken with the idea that had named a son for my favorite poet. George had a loving heart and helped everyone.

One of George's many gifts was a fine, understated sense of humor, to go with a robust laugh. I was a co-worker with George at The Chronicle and we would sometimes visit the nearby newspaper dive bar and discuss baseball and far less esoteric subjects like politics, literature, etc. An altogether fine man and wonderful company.
Joe Shea, San Francisco

George was one of my closest friends, dating back to the last semester of high school at Cleveland Hts. High. He was the one I could talk to about intellectual and philosophical topics as we tried to make sense of the world. We actually thought the many problems weren't that difficult to solve, if we could all just apply ourselves to figuring out solutions. I also have many fond memories of post high school, getting to know his wife Ann, and their son Patchen - just a tyke (tike?) back then....

I will miss running into George on his way to or from the Café Trieste, and on his occasional stops at the Caffe Roma to see us. North Beach mornings aren't the same without his sweet, friendly smile!

George also played bridge, at least for a while back in the 80's and 90's. And while his skill as a bridge player did not approach his skill as a headline-writer, he was always an amiable and enjoyable bridge partner. A dry sense of humor, and good to talk to about law, politics, sports, or anything at all. I haven't seen George in many years, but I have good memories of our bridge games on Mimi's boat at Pier 39.