George Gordon Harding

George Gordon Harding, age 90, loving husband and father, passed away on Thursday, January 1st 2026.

George was born in Lowell, MA on October, 5, 1935 and was the eldest of 4 children of the late George Patrick and Mary (nee Abreau) Harding. George grew up in Gardner, MA and graduated from Gardner High School before enrolling in the G. E. Tool and Die Maker Apprentice program. After serving 4 years in the U.S. Army at Fort Dix and in Korea, he married Muriel Silva of Manchester, NH in February 1960 and went to work for Baumritter Furniture.

While starting a family, and serving in the Air National Guard, George returned to school and received his B. S. Summa Cum Laude from New England College in 1963. After being hired at DuPont, he relocated his family to Seaford DE, and then to Newark, DE in 1968. George earned a Master's Degree in Business from the University of Delaware and at the age of 60 completed his Doctorate in Education at Wilmington College.

George had a lifelong love of learning, and while working at DuPont, he became an adjunct professor at several colleges including Wilmington College, Goldey-Beacom, and The University of Delaware. He later began one of the first online programs at the University of Maryland. He continued to teach after his retirement from DuPont until 2014.

George was a devoted family man and spent every weekend while his children were young taking the family to museums, out to dinner, and other activities. He also enrolled his children in every sport, music, and scouting program available because "idle hands are the devil's workshop". He enjoyed taking his family along on business trips so they could sightsee while he worked. He was very supportive and encouraging of his children's educational endeavors.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his half-brother, Anthony. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Muriel; his children, Andrea, George Jr, and Christopher (Donna); younger siblings, Richard (Pearl), Wayne (Mary Helen), and Hope (Jim); and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11:15 am on Monday, January 26, 2026 at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 82 Possum Park Road, Newark, DE, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:15 am. A committal service will follow at the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's name to The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor New York, NY 10017 or online by clicking here; or to a charity of your choice.