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BORN
1923
DIED
2012
FUNERAL HOME
George Childs Obituary
Born Feb. 4, 1923, in Northampton to Herbert L. and Cecelia E. (Dragon) Childs, he was the eighth of their 13 children.
A consummate entrepreneur, his business career started as a boy hawking newspapers. At the age of 17 he purchased "Charlie's Place", a soda fountain and cigar shop in Northampton. In the late 1940s he founded H. L. Childs and Son paint contracting company. The business grew to include a toy and hobby store which he ran with his sons for almost 40 years.
At the time of his death he was the owner of Valley Dolls and Miniatures in Northampton.
Described by friends as energy personified, George amassed a legacy of service to his community and church. Over the years he served on the recreation committee, the water commission, the board of health, the Williamsburg Police Association, the Hampshire Three County Fair committee and the Sanderson Heath Scholarship Fund, which he established.
He was a member of the Williamsburg Board of Education for 30 years serving as chairman for 20 years. He also served on the building committee for the Haydenville Fire Station, the Anne T. Dunphy School and was instrumental in preserving the Helen E. James Building and relocating the water trough to the grounds of the James Building.
Although he left high school after his first year, he received various citations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for his commitment to education and civic service.
He co-chaired the bicentennial committee and chaired the 225th anniversary committee for the town of Williamsburg. He served on the board of directors of the former First National Bank of Northampton and was a charter member of the Williamsburg Rotary Club since 1952.
A devoted communicant of Our Lady of the Hill's Parish in Haydenville for over 60 years, he served on the Holy Name Society, was chairman for 15 years of the planning committee and chaired the annual Catholic Charities Drive for over 50 years.
Mr. Childs was named Man of the Year from the Diocese of Springfield in 1991 and Outstanding Man of the Year by the Joel E. Hayden Chapter Lodge in 1995. He is a recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Award. In 1991 the Williamsburg Annual Report was dedicated in his honor for his many years of service to the village of Haydenville and the town of Williamsburg. In 2003 he was chosen by the St. Michael's Guild to join the Bishops Circle of Stewards, a group of parishioners recognized for having given a remarkable amount of their time and talent to their parish communities and their diocesan family.
He leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Bernice A. (Golash) Childs; his three children, Kenneth, George A. and Cynthia Hanrahan; seven grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a sister, Ann LaSalle.
He is predeceased by four sisters and seven brothers.
Calling hours will be held at the Childs' Funeral Home on Monday, Nov. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Hills, Haydenville. Contributions can be made to Our Lady of the Hills Renovation Fun, Haydenville, MA.
To sign a Guest Book, express condolences, share memories and read other obituaries, go to www.gazettenet.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for George Childs
Barrett Gregoire
December 18, 2012
My deepest sympathy to the family, I only knew him as customer in the Hobby Shop. If anyone reading this has any pictures of George and/or his son in the store or pictures of the store, please contact me at [email protected] , classic toy train magazine would like to do an artice on him and the family.
December 16, 2012
Even thou I never met him,the comments from others shows he was a good person.
Perhaps in the next life we will meet.
my condolences to his kinfolks in their
loss. George D. childs of Texas
barbara sarafin/moniz
December 1, 2012
Sorry to hear that George passed.He was a wonderful man with whom I had the pleasure of working for.Even though it was only for a short time I enjoyed working at the toy store.He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.My sympathy to the family.Barbara(sarafin) Moniz
Victoria (Green) Gribbell
November 29, 2012
I started working for George when I was 13. He was a great boss! They say that children may close their ears to advice, but they keep their eyes open to example. I couldn't have picked a better person to be my mentor. George was social, he had a way about him that just made you want to spend more time talking with him. He was intelligent and was just a terrific businessman. He was also quite charitable and was always willing to help a person or a cause. I am very sad that he is gone, but so very grateful that I had a chance to know him. Leo Rosten once said, “I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all to matter, to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all.” George achieved all those things. I will miss you.
Dennis & Andrea Dufresne
November 28, 2012
Sorry for your loss
Mary&Mitch Alexander
November 28, 2012
To all, our deepest regrets. Mary and I just found out of your sadness in the passing of George. Thoughts and prayers are sent your way~
tony yacuzzo
November 28, 2012
Bernice , sorry to hear of your loss. time has past but we always enjoyed working with your family ,god bless.
November 27, 2012
Cindy and Family
George has a special place in my heart.
Since the day I met him I felt his warm heart,kindness and sense of humor. God Bless, Julie and Lauren
Eric Cerreta
November 27, 2012
George was one of the last of a dying breed. He gave 100 percent of his time and talent to everything he did. Haydenville folks are well aware of the little and big things he did for our village, town and St Mary's Parish. George was a natural leader and motivator and we are all fortunate that he chose to spend his life here bettering ours.
Meg Ciak Papalegis
November 27, 2012
My first real job was at H.L.Childs & Sons in the 80's. I couldn't have asked for a better "boss" than George. He taught me how to deal with the public,primarily through laughter! Everyday was an adventure and a learning experience. I will cherish the memories of working for George and his family. My deepest condolences to Bernice, Chip, Kenneth and family.
Love, Meg Ciak Papalegis
Sue Garguilo
November 27, 2012
Dear Cindy, I am so sorry to hear about your dad, even though I only spoke to him on the phone I could tell he was a charming man. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You look just like him. Sue Garguilo
November 27, 2012
I was saddened to hear of George's passing. I worked with George on construction projects for almost 40 years and always looked forward to every one since he was always so upbeat and enjoyable to work with. He was a GREAT guy and will be sorely missed. My condolences to his wife and family.
Dick Manuel, South Hadley, MA
November 27, 2012
Dear Cindy, Your dad looks just like I imagined. Even though I never had an opportunity to meet him, he was charming on the phone. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You look just like him. Sue Garguilo
November 26, 2012
Rest in peace George you've earned it. My family and I used to enjoy the craft store on State St. in Northampton and I loved the Dolls and Miniatrures store on Damon Rd. You had wonderful doll houses and doll house accessories that never failed to fascinate me.
My love and sympathy to your wife and family, Edwina Kreps, Turners Falls, MA
Dick Bachand
November 26, 2012
The world and the town of Williamsburg, especially the village of Haydenville, has lost a great friend. Someone once titled him as "The Commissioner" as he was always willing, and very capable, of taking on any task for the good of the community, and of his beloved church, that are chronicled in his obituary. He has often shared with me some of the stories of the "Raiders" basketball team that he organized and managed for all of the vets returning after WW II. May he enjoy in heaven all of his good works that were so much a part of his life.
Bill Reichelt
November 26, 2012
My condolances to you and your family. I worked with George many years ago as his accountant at the toy store. It was always a pleasure to be there and see George's passion for his trains.
November 26, 2012
i am so sorry to hear of George's passing. It is small world, I am reading this in India. I will miss his friendly wave as he went down the hill. My thoughts and praryers are with you. Helen Symons
Fr. Michael Devlin
November 25, 2012
Bernice,
My thoughts and prayers are with you now at George's passing. I was a privileged recipient of his many talents, kindnesses and dedication, during my time as Pastor in Haydenville. His love for the Church never ceased to amaze me. We have lost a Spiritual Giant indeed.
God bless you during these trying days.
Fr. Michael Devlin
Chiqui
November 25, 2012
Juju has and always will hold a special place in my heart. He will be missed by many. He will never be forgotten.
Annemarie Chapdelaine
November 25, 2012
He was a wonderful man and his store was always a special place for me and my sisters. I'm so grateful for the difference he made in my life and in the community just by being himself.
Jesse and Althea
November 25, 2012
Dear Bernice and family,
Our deepest sympathy on your loss. We have so many wonderful memories of helping him organize his many projects and working with him.
Jesse and Althea
Pam Mahon
November 25, 2012
I only wish I had an opportunity to meet this special man but now I know why his daughter is such a great person. We need more people like Mr Childs in the world. My sympathy to the family.
November 25, 2012
It would take years to tell all that George done for his family, community and his friends. So many behind the scenes things that people did not know about. Will miss the many chats and visits we had George. You were one of a kind. Your love for Bernice was unfounded. Bernie & Nancy Bachand
Betsy Chase
November 25, 2012
Entering Child's toy store as a kid was a magical experience that does not seem to hav an equivalent today. I remember the furnished doll houses and doll furniture displays, the train villages and many model trains, and the dolls, dolls, dolls. (My favorite was always Betsy Wetsy.) Mr. Childs was kind and patient with our greasy hands marking up the glass display cases that captured our imaginations. Congratulations on a life well-lived.
Mike & Lois Donato
November 25, 2012
Sorry for your loss.
Steve Reynolds
November 25, 2012
I'm honored to have been associated with the Childs family growing up. Thank you for all of my childhood memories at the toy store, paint shop, and funeral home. Mr. Childs was an inspiration to my family and everyone he was associated with. He will always hold a special place in my parents hearts as well as mine. I continue to cherish those memories today including the monster refridgerator he sent me off to college with!
Kurt A
November 24, 2012
Some of my fondest memories growing up in Northampton during the 70's and early 80's was going to Childs' toy store on State Street. What a place it was..... Thanks Mr. Childs for contributing to a truly wonderful upbringing in Northampton.
November 24, 2012
Dear Bernice,
We are vey saddeed by the news of George passing. He was a great guy and wii\ll be missed by every \one in Burgy that knew him.
Mii\llard aaand Rpsemarie Hathaway
Lori Peloquin
November 24, 2012
Sending prayers to the family. God bless all of you.
Richard & Marie Aquadro
November 24, 2012
Geo as his life's accomplishments tells us he was he was ONE of a KIND
P K Magruder
November 24, 2012
George sold my first doll house to me right out of the window display of the State St building. It was one he had built and after the fire in 1989, he made the minor repairs it needed. He was always willing to answer questions, make suggestions, order anything he didn't have available. He was a wonderful person & the world is the less for his loss
Lynne
November 24, 2012
My mother was an avid Madame Alexander doll collector and we made frequent visits to his store in various locations over the years, Hadley Village Barn, Downtown Northhamoton and now at its present location. He always had a smile on his face and kind words to say. He will be missed. Condolences to his family.
Candy Smith
November 24, 2012
George .always had a smile and was friendly. He will be missed in our community.
November 24, 2012
Our sympathy goes out to all the family, George was a great guy, good businessman and always a happy face.
Joe & Rose Mulherin
Renee Magdalenski Berrian
November 24, 2012
What a bright light Mr. Childs was for 'us neighborhood kids' growing up. And he'd never hesitate to stop and say 'hi' when he'd see me visiting home over the years. His friendship to my family will be missed.
Kathy Casale
November 24, 2012
I was a happy patron of Mr. Child's doll and miniature store for many years. He was such a helpful, knowledgeable and sweet man. He always had kind words for my young children when we visited the store. His eyes had such sparkle - I always thought of him as one of Santa's Elves!
Chuck Dunning
November 24, 2012
When I was a member of the Northampton Police Department,back in the sixties,I can recall,while walking the beat,stopping in to see George.He was without question,one of the nicest gentleman I had the pleasure of knowing.Regardless of what he was doing,he always had time to stop for a few moments and chat.I can remember one event when his store was broken into.Entry was through a eight by ten overhead door window.We were all amazed at how small the culprit must have been to get through that small window.We did get a laugh out of it.Thank you George for being a good friend.
Sydney O'Leary
November 24, 2012
My sympathy to all the family.One of the nicest men I have ever known.
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