George A. Preli

1934 - 2013

Today another South Glastonbury icon left town for a better place (aka George of the Jungle). George A. Preli "Peck", 79, of South Glastonbury, beloved husband of Dorothy (Halun) Preli, died Saturday November 30, 2013 at Hartford Hospital. Born June 13, 1934 in Hartford, son of the late George W. and Rose (Cavanna) Preli he was brought up in South Glastonbury on Matson Hill, he enjoyed his entire life there among many relatives and friends. In his teen years he organized a band the High Notes. They were known for their attire, blue suits and blue suede shoes. They played for many local school dances and weddings. He met his future wife at a square dance where they danced and continued to dance through the next 63 years of life together. He had a great desire for speed and competition and especially loved his old 50's Harley. On his yearly trips to Florida, he enjoyed the races at Daytona and the sites and sounds of the many beaches. In his retirement, George was often found taking up residence on his favorite chair at Richards' Gas Station sharing his wisdom with the masses of coffee buyers and local residents as well as anyone who wanted to listen. George was a member of the Matson Hill Community Club and the Knights of Columbus and a former member of the Glastonbury Rotary Club and the Elks. Besides his wife Dorothy he is survived by his three children Cheryl A. Preli of Newington, George A. Preli, Jr. and his wife Valerie of Vernon, Donna M. Preli and her partner Michele Camerato of Wallingford, two sisters and a brother-in-law Elaine and Wesley Fortier and Madeline Schultz all of South Glastonbury and a sister-in-law Sophie Prestash of New Britain, as well as many nieces and nephews, including Gary Schultz. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday Dec. 4 at 10am in St. Augustine Church, 55 Hopewell Rd., South Glastonbury. Burial will follow in St. John Ukrainian Cemetery, Glastonbury. Friends may call at the Mulryan Funeral Home, 725 Hebron Ave., Glastonbury on Tuesday Dec. 3 from 5-8pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr., P.O. Box 5022, Wallingford, CT. 06492. For online condolences please visit www.mulryanfh.com.