GEORGE R. CLARY

George Riendeau "Gozy" Clary, age 85, died in Sarasota, Florida on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 of natural causes.

Born November 27, 1926 in East Rockaway, New York to Edwina and George Clary, he graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Business and later with a Master's degree in Education from the University of South Florida. George served in the US Navy until his honorable discharge as a Seaman First Class in July, 1946. During his service he received the Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal. On September 12, 1947, he married Dorothy Hove.

From New York, his family settled in St. Augustine, Florida where he grew up. Following his graduation from UF he relocated to Tampa, Florida where he put his Business degree to work as a retailer with Maas Brothers Department Stores. In 1970 George gave up retailing and began teaching business and other courses at Riverview High School in Sarasota until his retirement.

George was a longtime Freemason active in the Sarasota Sahib Shrine as "Gozy the clown" in support of the Shriner's Children's Hospital in Tampa. He has served as the Commodore of the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, on the board of directors for the Sarasota Coastal Credit Union, and the Sarasota Blood Bank where he donated gallons of his blood for the benefit of the community. He was also active in Kiwanis and the Sons of Norway, as well as donating his time to a number of other organizations.

George will be especially remembered for his sense of humor, spirit of adventure and love of travel, as well as for his role as a loving husband and father.

Survivors include his wife Dorothy, his children Hove and Karen, his six grandchildren, great grandson, and brother Bruce. George was preceded in death by his parents George and Edwina.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, March 11, at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron at 1717 Ken Thompson Pkwy on City Island in Sarasota.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions to the Shriners Hospitals for Children -Tampa,
12502 Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612

Arrangements under the direction of National Cremation & Burial Society, Sarasota, FL.