George Stevens

1947 - 2016

George Stevens

1947 - 2016 PITTSFIELD George Crawford Stevens, born August 5, 1947, in Pittsfield, MA to Georgianna Fulker Stevens and Crawford C. Stevens, lost his two and one half year battle with pancreatic cancer on January 24. Educated in local schools, he graduated from Wahconah Regional in 1966. He worked at several pluming and fire protection engineering firms in Boston and southeastern MA. He moved with his family to Marion, MA, where he continued the same work, adding lobster fishing before work each day to his activities. He opened and operated Marion Gun Shop, along with doing taxidermy. He also became a part-time police officer with the Marion department. After several years of enjoying life near the ocean, George returned to The Berkshires to open GC Stevens Taxidermy Studio in Lanesboro, where he also joined the police department, and later became building inspector. He then turned to construction, built several homes throughout the area, and designed and built Par 4 Family Fun Center, bringing the excitement of go karts, bumper boats, and batting cages to The Berkshires. A man who loved life and work, he did an amazing job of enjoying many diverse businesses and past times. His next step was to operate a used car business, GCS Auto Sales. He became a licensed auctioneer. After the sale of the business property, he went back to the drawing board and designed, developed, and patented the Plumbatube, a concrete column alignment tool to keep forms plumb and square while pouring concrete. Of all his many accomplishments, his pride and joy was the first class motorhome he built by converting an Eagle motor coach. He loved traveling in his bus which he named Eutopia. When his activities slowed down, he repaired and restored old AM radios. He then became a HAM radio operator. Never one to shy away from controversy, George was often found leading a fight for the rights of an individual in the face of proposals for new restrictions. He enjoyed pulling pranks on his friends and co-workers. Known as the "Chief" by his young employees and children's friends, he was a dedicated family man. George leaves his wife and high school sweetheart, Joanne Iwanowicz Stevens, whom he married on August 5, 1967; his son, George C. Stevens, Jr. and wife, Karen, of Dalton; three daughters, Laura Ling and husband, Christopher, of Vernon Hills, Illinois, Amy Sommers of Dalton, and Holly Leahy and her husband, Patrick of Norton, MA; sisters, Marlene Zawadzky and Georgianna DiSefano and her husband, Tony; sister-in-law, Ophia Stevens; eight grandchildren; brothers-in-law, Stanley Iwanowicz and John Iwanowicz and wife, Janet; sisters-in-law, Anne Cerveira and husband, George; Theresa Atteridge and husband, Timothy, Elizabeth Gniadek and husband, Robert, Cynthia Iwanowicz and Mary Whitaker and husband, Donald, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, Covington Stevens, sister-in-law, Rita Stevens, and three nephews. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for George Crawford Stevens will be held Friday, January 29, at 9a.m., from DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dalton with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10a.m., at St. Patrick Church in West Stockbridge celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. John J. Bonzagni, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Patrick Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday, from 4 to 7p.m. at the DERY-FOLEY FUNERAL HOME in Dalton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare in The Berkshires or to St. Patrick Church both in care of the Funeral Home, 890 East Main Street, Dalton, 01226.