George Joseph Nutter Sr.

1961 - 2021

1961-2021

George Nutter believed he was put on Earth to help people, and that belief held true throughout a life of service, love, and kindness for all who were lucky enough to know him.

And so, it is with tremendous sadness that George's family announces his passing on Feb. 11, 2021.

George collected many titles during his time: Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, firefighter, bomb technician, investigator, teammate, and friend. In each of these roles, he carried an integrity and compassion that defined him throughout his life.

George was born in Lowell, MA on April 4, 1961, to George and Julia (Theresa) Nutter. He developed an easy manner and sharp wit as the third-oldest in a family of eleven children; in the 1970s and 1980s, you couldn't walk down a street through the Christian Hill neighborhood of the city's Centralville section without being asked if you were "Georgie" Nutter's brother or sister.

After studying carpentry and starring as a diver at Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical High School, George pursued the career he had dreamed about as a boy: He joined the United States Air Force to learn fire protection; thus, began his life-long commitment to helping people.

George served Prince George's County, Maryland for 20 years: First as a firefighter, and later as a bomb technician and as a fire investigator. His dedication and expertise as an investigator were showcased in a feature story for the Washington Post Magazine in 1995.

Upon his retirement from the fire department, George ran the daily operations at the family business, Sunnybrook Tavern in Fort Washington, MD, where he was able to explore a new avenue for helping and serving others.

The sparks from the fires he battled were only matched by those he felt upon meeting JoAnn Maccarone in 1980. They married, and together, raised two children: George J. Nutter, Jr. and Jessica Nutter.

George and his family enjoyed taking vacations, traveling and attending concerts together. Music was a big part of George's life, with traditional Irish folk songs, and albums by Pink Floyd and Bruce Springsteen being among his favorites.

As a huge sports fan, George reveled in the success of his favorite teams: He was a lifelong fan of the Boston Bruins, Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots, and an adopted hometown fan of the Washington Redskins, Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals.

When George, Jr. took Ashley to be his bride, he blessed his father with another opportunity to love and help, this time in the role of "Grandpa." Perhaps nothing in the world made "Big George" happier than spending time with his grandchildren, George Joseph Nutter III & Ariel Nutter. In George's last years, "Georgie" & Ariel were the reasons for the sparkle that lit his eyes and the smile that creased his face.

Aside from JoAnn, Jessica, George Jr., Ashley, Georgie and Ariel, George is survived by his brothers, sisters, and in-laws: Kathleen Nutter, Maureen Nutter Dumont, Gerard Nutter and his wife Donna, Patrick Nutter and his wife Donna, Colleen Nutter, Nancy Nutter, Lisa Nutter, Fred Nutter, Theresa Ellsworth and her husband John, and many nieces & nephews.

He is also remembered lovingly by his closest friends, including John Tougas, Donald Poole, and Carrolyn Grimm, who all helped take care of him in his time of need.

George is predeceased by his mother and father, by his brother, Paul Nutter, and by his in-laws, Achille & Delphine Maccarone.

"How I wish… how I wish you were here."

Memorial services will be held on Friday, Feb. 26 from 4-8 p.m. at Tyngsborough Funeral Home in Tyngsborough, MA.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, Feb. 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Church, Lowell, MA, followed by a burial ceremony at St. Mary Cemetery, Tewksbury, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's name to: Colea Benevolent Fund, checks to: Prince George's County Professional Firefighters Charitable Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 charity., 3060 Mitchellville Road, Suite 217, Bowie, MD 20716



View the online memorial for George Joseph Nutter, Sr.