George F. Apel

George F. Apel, 91, of South Windsor and previously a longtime resident of Vernon, beloved husband of 70 years to the late Joan (Dresser) Apel, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2026. He was born on February 12, 1935, in Manchester CT, one of four children to the late George A. Apel and Doris (Gerstenlauer) Apel.

George was raised in Rockville, attended local schools, and was a graduate of Rockville High School, Class of 1953. He then attended the University of Connecticut before marrying the love of his life, Joan Dresser, on December 19, 1954 while he was on leave from the Navy. Their first date was on June 2, 1951. George served in the Navy as a sonar specialist from 1954-1957.

He then joined Pratt & Whitney Aircraft where he had a long career in the Engineering Department. He earned both his BS in Mechanical Engineering and his MBA at the University of Hartford while working full-time and joining Joan in raising their family. He rose from an engineering "tech aide" to an engineering manager where he was known as being "tough but fair".

In retirement, he volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity in Vernon. He and Joan fostered a Fidelco Guide Dog puppy which they named Vernon. He was proud that Vernon was the only pup from the "V" litter who graduated to becoming a guide dog.

George entered politics serving on the Vernon Board of Education. He also served as Mayor of Vernon from 2011-2013 and lived up to his campaign slogan of "Ready, Willing, and Apel".

He was a very faithful and spiritual man. He and Joan ran and taught Sunday School for many years. George also served as a deacon and on various finance boards. He and Joan were very active members at Union Congregational Church in Rockville for many years, then at First Congregational Church of Vernon, and most recently a member of Wapping Community Church in South Windsor.

Once his family was grown, he and Joan made memorable trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Israel, western U.S. national parks, and Mackinac Island, MI. George loved reading, doing puzzles, ice cream, and the Red Sox. He introduced his grandchildren to fishing having learned to fish from his father. While never claiming to be an artist, George's grandchildren fondly remember that he sketched Peanuts' Snoopy as his signature on cards to them.

George is survived by his son, Allen F. Apel and his wife, Jayne, of East Hartford, CT; his daughter, Cheryl Veilleux of Lyndonville, VT; his four grandchildren, Andrew Apel and his wife, Caitlin, of Northboro, MA, Emily (Apel) Lin and her husband, Peter, of Melbourne, FL, Yvonne (Veilleux) Deady and her husband, Joe, of Ware, MA, and Kayla Veilleux and her husband, Quintin Tomasi, of Lyndonville, VT; his four great-grandchildren, Ty and Ryan Lin, and Ethan and James Apel; two sisters: Sandra (Apel) Finley of Moosup, CT, and Charmaine (Apel) Hancock of Huntersville, NC; and his sister-in-law, Janet (Dresser) Belber and her husband, Jerry, of Brimfield, MA; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and their families. In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by his son, Donald M. Apel; his sister, Betty Lou (Apel) Smith; his son-in-law, Laurent Veilleux; and his sister-in-law, Grace (Dresser) Billings.

The family is very grateful for the compassionate care provided to both George and Joan by the staff at the Village at Buckland Court for the past 6 years and by Sovereign Home Healthcare this past year.

At the request of his family, funeral services for George and Joan will be held privately. Burial will be held in Grove Hill Cemetery, Vernon. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 322 West Lamar St., Americus, GA 31709-3543. To leave an online message of condolence for his family, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.