George Squillacote

Squillacote, George Francis 86, a long-term Milwaukee resident and former regional director at the National labor Relations Board (NLRB), died Wednesday, November 3, 2004 at Bethany House in Auburn, Alabama after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was born in New Britain, CT. on June 16, 1918 and was the ninth of 12 children born to Italian immigrants Leopold and Anna Squillacote. George received a law degree in 1947 from the University of Chicago where he met and married, Florence Stachniak in 1945. From 1949 to 1984 he worked for the National Labor Relations Board, and served the last 22 years as regional director in Wisconsin. After retiring, he taught labor law at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and served as a labor arbitrator for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Board until 2004. Beginning with his high school days at New Britain High where he was captain of the tennis team, George lived for and loved tennis. Over the years he collected scores of trophies, but the one dearest to his heart was the New Britain city championship cup that he won in 1938, 1940, and obtained permanent possession of by his third win in 1944. He actively competed in many Milwaukee area tennis clubs throughout his residence there. George was deeply involved in race relations and was president of Home Opportunities Made Equal. H.O.M.E. was an organization created to combat red-lining in Chicago in the 50's and 60's. Throughout his private and professional life George fought for the individual, remembering that his mother taught him “even one person can make a difference” He is predeceased by his wife Florence, a daughter, Marian Hein, an infant son, George Jr. and eight brothers and sisters. He is survived by his brothers Angelo and Albert; his sister Marge Cote, his son Michael, daughters Peg Kraft and Theresa, a daughter-in-law Sheila Mehta, seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Visitation (from 8-11 a.m.) and a Memorial Mass (11:00 a.m.) will be celebrated this Saturday, February 26th, at St. Eugene Catholic Church, 7600 N. Port Washington Road, Fox Point, WI 53217, (414)918-1100. Family and friends are invited to a memorial gathering after the service at Pandl’s Bayside, 8825 N. Lake Drive, Bayside, WI 53217 414-352-7300. An interment beside his wife Florence will be attended by the immediate family on Sunday at St. Mary’s Cemetery, 87th St. and Hamlin Ave, Evergreen Park, Illinois, (708)422-8720. Memorial donations may be made to the George Squillacote Memorial Fund, c/o the Farrell Funeral Home, 110 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051, (860) 225-8464. This fund is established in George's name to promote tennis opportunities for inner city youth. The family would like to thank the Bethany House staff for their care and support.