George Greenhalgh

George R. Greenhalgh, 84, of Blooming Glen, passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Warminster Hospital Hospice with his devoted wife Judy by his side. Born March 8, 1936 in Vineland, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Harry Greenhalgh and the late Margaret M. (Travis) McConaghy. George was a loving, gentle giant with a great sense of humor and zest for life. He was the beloved husband of Judith L. (Byrnes) Greenhalgh for the past 49 years. During his childhood years he lived at the Jersey Shore mostly Wildwood where he experienced many fun - filled memories selling newspapers, shining shoes, and running errands for the lifeguards. He and his mother moved to Glenside, PA, when he was in Jr. High School and he attended Abington schools. After school, George worked at a hobby and bicycle shop where he developed a love for HO Trains. He became a life-long "scratch builder". George learned early on he was talented musically. He taught himself to play "by ear" several instruments including the banjo and bass saxophone, both of which he played when a member of the Ukrainian-American String Band in Philadelphia. He declared his Austrian button box the most difficult instrument to play. George proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1954-1957. He was stationed in Korea for 15 months with the 98th Engineers Aerial Photo Reproduction Company. Under the GI Bill he attended Temple University. George learned valuable skills working for Glasgow, Inc (Glenside) and Boresen & Co (Oreland). He was happiest being his own boss. In 1974 he purchased a White Freightliner and hauled steel mostly throughout New England. In 1984, he established "Big George Welding" and used his problem solving and creative skills to service customers throughout the Upper Bucks area. He retired in 2005. Prior to that he also trained and served as a Pennsylvania State Constable for the Ottsville District Court. George enjoyed following the Eagles and Phillies. He and Judy traveled throughout the United States, to eastern Canada, where they visited George's Nova Scotia cousins, and to Europe. George twice accompanied Judy and her students as part of the Palisades GAPP Exchange to Krefeld, Germany. In 1997 he helped his father-in-law retrace his WWII experience with a three week auto trip. The couple also enjoyed camping and traveling on their Harley Davidson with sidecar. George was a life member of the John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322-Quakertown, the Battle of the Bulge Association, Lehigh Valley Chapter, Hilltown Historical Society, and Perkasie Historical Society. He had been a fire policeman with the Dublin and Hilltown Fire Companies and earlier a fire fighter with the Glenside and Weldon Companies. In addition to his wife he is survived by three daughters: Diane Runge (Scott), Wendy Bergeron, and Denise Greenhalgh, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; nieces & nephews; sister-in-law Jane Refsnyder (Clint) and their children Elizabeth and Robert (Monica); cousins in Nova Scotia and Western Canada. George was predeceased by a sister, Mary Smith. Graveside Services at Hope Cemetery, Nazareth will be held at a later date in Spring. Arrangements are being made by Naugle Funeral & Cremation Service, 135 W. Pumping Station Road, Quakertown, PA 18951. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the John Rivers Memorial VFW Post 11322-Quakertown, 41 Belmont Ave, Quakertown, PA 18951; the Bucks County SPCA, PO Box 277, Lahaska, PA 18931 or Animals in Distress, PO Box 609, Coopersburg, PA 18036.

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