George Ellsworth Amick Jr.

George E. Amick Jr., 94, of Ewing, NJ, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. The acclaimed journalist, author and Veteran passed following a long illness.
Amick had a lifelong career in journalism. He joined The Times of Trenton in 1962 as a reporter and stayed until his retirement in 2006. During that time, he served as State House correspondent, Washington correspondent, Metro Editor, Sunday Editor and Chief Editorial Writer. In 1968-69,he attended Harvard University on a Neiman Journalism Fellowship. After retirement, he wrote the Capital Talk column on New Jersey government and politics, which appeared each Monday on page 1.
Amick wrote "The American Way of Graft," a study of political corruption at the state level, which was published in 1975 by The Center for Analysis of Public Issues in Princeton, N.J., and was used as a reference work in university political science courses. A lifelong stamp collector, he wrote "Jenny!," the definitive story of the United States' best-known stamp error, the 24-cent "inverted Jenny" airmail stamp of 1918. The book was published in 1986 and reissued by Amos Press under the title 'The Inverted Jenny: Money, Mystery, Mania." For 23 years he authored the annual U.S. Stamp Yearbook, published by Linn's Stamp News. He was a frequent contributor to philatelic periodicals.
He was born March 27, 1930, the son of George and Myrtle Amick, in Scipio, Ind., a town where his great-great grandfather arrived in 1821 as an early settler and where his great-grandfather, grandfather and father also were born. Four generations of ancestors on his father's side are buried in the Scipio cemetery.
He grew up in Worthington, Ohio, and earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1951 and a master's degree in journalism from Ohio State in 1956. In between, he served four years as an Intelligence Specialist in the U.S. Air Force, including a year debriefing combat crews in Korea with the 3rd Bomb Wing and a stint as an instructor at Lowry AFB, Colorado, and Sheppard AFB, Texas. At Ohio State he met his future wife, Donna (Mueller), who was editor of the university's Daily Lantern. Before coming to Trenton, he was a reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer and editor of The Daily News of Troy, Ohio.
Amick was an avid runner-- he ran cross country in high school and started up again in his late 30s and continued, in his words, until his "knees gave out." A member of the Mercer-Bucks Running Club, he won numerous medals in age-group races from one mile to the half-marathon. He took part in 10 full marathons, including four Boston Marathons. He celebrated his 50th birthday by running 50 miles on a course that covered all then-13 Mercer County municipalities.
He was a proud member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Trenton, where he served as an Elder and Deacon, co-edited the monthly newsletter with Donna and sang for 50 years in the church choir.
Above all, he was a loving, wonderful, empathetic man. All who knew George were inspired by his gentle kindness and immeasurable wisdom. He spent 15 years as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, delivering to individuals confined to their homes. He mentored numerous colleagues throughout his career, many of whom remained in close touch. During treasured times spent with his family, Amick enjoyed watching football games and playing along with Jeopardy. Much to the chagrin of the family, he usually won. He rooted for his Ohio State Buckeyes and his son's beloved Buffalo Bills. He was always there with sage advice, wonderful wit and absolute loving care.
He is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-eight years, Donna Mueller Amick; brother William Amick and sister Elizabeth Murtfeldt; sons William Amick and John Amick (Katie), daughter Sally Russo (Richard); grandchildren Jessica McKenney (Nick), Isabel Russo, Matthew Amick, Jack Russo, Zoe Abreno; and adored nieces and nephews. He will be eternally missed, but always and forever remembered with deep love.
The family plans a Celebration of Life memorial service later this Spring. To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of George, please visit our Tree Store.