George Elwood

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George Haddow Elwood, 94, died at 3:54 p.m. Saturday, April 30, 2022 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Utica. He was surrounded by his wife and family.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Emory United Methodist Church, Hancock, with the Rev. Dr. Roxy Moses officiating. There will be calling hours from 1-2 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Burial and military honors will follow the memorial service at Riverview Cemetery. There will be a social gathering to share memories at the Hancock House immediately following the burial.

George was born May 19, 1927 in Hancock to Vincent Nathan Elwood and Florence Augusta Doyle. He married Ann Guild on Dec. 18, 1954 at St. Bartholomew Church in New York City. Bernard Kaplan was the best man and Harriet Osinski, Ann’s sister, was matron of honor. 

He is predeceased by his parents, his stepmother Harriet Frances Bowen Whitaker Elwood, and his sisters Cora Moreno and Grace Voltmann.

Survivors include his wife Ann, Utica, and children Charles (Carolyn) Elwood, Peekskill, Thomas (Carol) Elwood, Key West, Fla., and Barbara (Thomas) Schlatter, Chatsworth, Ill. He will be forever remembered and loved by his grandchildren Teri (Ryan) Elwood, Dan Schlatter, Kelly Elwood (Thomas Botsford, fiancé), Blake Elwood, and Kylie Elwood; step-grandchildren Craig Schlatter (Monica Thomas), Abby Schlatter (Matt Fulton), and Karen Schlatter (Joel Correia), and one great-step-grandson Leo Correia-Schlatter. He will be missed by his stepsister Carol M. Miller, sister-in-law Harriet G. Osinski, and brother-in-law Michael B. Guild, all of his nieces and nephews, and extended family.

George graduated from Hancock Central School in 1944; Rutgers University in 1949; and Fordham Law School in 1952. George enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II from May 23, 1945 to Aug. 3, 1946. He worked in the dispersing office aboard the USS Battleship New Jersey. George was admitted to the American Bar Association in 1953 and became a partner in the Elwood and Elwood Law Business with his father, Vincent N. Elwood. He had a general practice of law from 1953 - 2018 with an emphasis on real property, estate and trust administration and municipal law. He semi-retired in 1992, and fully retired in 2018 at age 91.  

George prepared the incorporation papers, first set of by-laws, and an amendment for the BB 62 Veterans Association. He belonged to the American Legion Post 289, VFW Post 6609, Hancock Masonic Lodge #552, Deposit Lodge #396, and was a Past Member of the Hancock Fire Department. Other community organizations include Order of the Eastern Star, Pastor Parish Relations Committee of Emory United Methodist Church, Hancock Rotary Club, Hancock Chamber of Commerce, and president of the Hancock Community Education Foundation (HCEF) 1999-2016.

A founding member of the HCEF, George was a staunch believer in the importance of a college education. He delighted in following the college decisions of his grandchildren, step-grandchildren, HCEF scholarship recipients, and anyone who expressed an interest in pursuing a college degree. Seeing them graduate from college was very important to him.

Anyone who knew George knew that he loved sports, especially Rutgers University, the New York Yankees, and the New York Giants. He and Ann visited many major and minor league baseball stadiums over the years. George also loved jazz, big band, and swing, organizing and attending numerous festivals with Ann and friends.

George’s life can best be summed up by his relationships. To those who knew him, he was a gentleman and a scholar. He was kind, generous, and a friend to so many. He took genuine interest in getting to know everyone he came in contact with.

George was a lifelong resident of Hancock, until 2016 when he and Ann moved to Utica. While in Utica, he enjoyed being the primary caregiver for Ann, taking his daily two mile walks, and spending time with their new friends from Acacia Village.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hancock Community Education Foundation, P.O. Box 819, Hancock, NY 13783, or the Emory United Methodist Church, 105 E. Main St., Hancock, NY 13783.

Arrangements by Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel, Hancock.