George Matthew Mushinsky

WALLINGFORD - George Matthew Mushinsky, beloved son of Kate Marie Mushinsky of Williamsburg, Va., and grandson of Edward S. and Rita O'Leary Mushinsky of Wallingford, died Tuesday, May 18, in Williamsburg.

Born in Denver, Colo. October 27, 1991, George had been a gifted child and was an exceptional young adult who excelled in whatever captured and held his interest, whether in the arts or finance. He played guitar, wrote poetry and song lyrics and was in the middle of writing several novels. He enjoyed photography, especially taking pictures of friends and nature. He competed in cross country and track and lettered in both.

In grade school the faculty designed an award, "Soaring Eagle," just for him. He nicknamed himself, "Sky," ostensibly after a teacher told him to "get his head out of the clouds" in one of his classes. His mother felt that Sky was an appropriate nickname because George was always wide open and could be both beautiful and dark.

An honor student, George attended Walsingham Academy in Williamsburg and was to be graduated in June from Warhill High School. Two youth groups in the area organized a memorial service held Saturday evening in the Warhill auditorium.

Survivors include Peter L. Mushinsky of Hayes, Va., his uncle and godfather, Ann Mushinsky-Tralles, MD, of Morrison, Colo., aunt and godmother; Rep. Mary M. Mushinsky and Martin J. Waters of Wallingford, Jane M. Mushinsky and Eric Kuniholm of Vista, Calif., and Paul F. Tralles of Morrison, aunts and uncles. He was predeceased by his uncle Mark S. Mushinsky of Brooklyn, Conn., who died Thanksgiving morning. George also leaves his treasured dog, Yoshi.

George's passing is mourned as well by great-uncles and aunts Lawrence B. and Arlene O'Leary of Stratford, Rosemary M. Wasilewski, widow of Francis, George F. and Helen Mushinsky, Mary M. Grant, widow of Harold, Annemarie Mushinsky, Alphonsus and Elizabeth Mitchell, all of Wallingford, Robert F. Mushinsky of Mystic, and many, many cousins.

The Rev. Gary F. Simeone, pastor, will celebrate the funeral Mass Monday in Most Holy Trinity Church at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery. There are no calling hours, and relatives and friends are asked to go directly to the church on Monday.
It would please the family if memorials remembering George were sent to Most Holy Trinity Church, 68 N. Colony St., The Nature Conservancy, or to your local animal shelter. The Conservancy's Connecticut Field Office is located at 55 High St., Middletown 06457 and in Virginia the address is 490 Westfield Rd., Charlottesville 22901-1633.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N. Main St. Extension. www.wallingfordfh.com