On Sunday, Jan. 19, the world lost a unique and remarkable man when George Owen Roberts, 92, passed away peacefully. George, known affectionately by some in the family as “Bud,” was born on April 5, 1932, in Holyoke, to George Irwin Roberts and Florence (Phoenix) Roberts (later Kellogg). The family soon moved to the upper west side of Manhattan where George would watch Columbia University football games from the roof of his building. One of his fondest memories from early childhood was sitting in the outfield with his father at Yankee Stadium watching the great Bambino in the twilight of his career. George attended Bogota High School (near Hackensack, New Jersey) and then studied German and art at Principia College in Illinois, where he also starred on the golf team. In the summers of his college years, he worked with his dad at a branch of Bendix Aviation in Manhattan, transferring avionic diagrams of dashboard parts onto vellum. After graduating from Principia in 1954, he enlisted in the Army just after the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany, in part because of his fluency in the language. After painting a pastoral watercolor birthday card for a major’s wife, it was determined that he was a better artist than soldier. Soon he was tasked with all sorts of art projects, including some beautiful murals on the walls of the officers’ club in Heidelberg.
George eventually found his calling as an art teacher. He was one of the original teachers at Newton South High School when it opened in 1960. Known for his sense of humor and dedication to his students, he taught art, art history and architecture there for 30 years. This is also where he met his beloved wife Gail Eaton, who was a student teacher at the time. In 1966, he was offered a sabbatical year to study art in Florence, Italy, at the Accademie di Belle Arti di Firenze. He asked Gail if she would like to accompany him and she replied, “Married?” With his characteristic wit and charm, he retorted, “If necessary.” Thus began 47 years of a wonderful marriage, most of which was spent on picturesque Peach’s Point. The two traveled extensively together, visiting countless countries on five different continents. They never turned down a return trip to their beloved Italy.
George was an avid and accomplished golfer, sporting a single digit handicap for many years. He had the good fortune to tee it up with the pros, playing in some pro-am tournaments in the 1970s in Arizona and California. Other memorable golf experiences include hitting the links in Ireland with family on famous courses such as Lahinch and attending the Masters tournament with Gail and friends in Augusta, Georgia.
A talented artist, George produced many memorable paintings and drawings throughout his life. But nothing could top his elaborate model train projects, which captured the lives of entire communities through detailed dioramas, models and authentic German trains. He painted over a thousand different miniature people to depict his special world.
George will be missed by many, but particularly his daughter Gwyneth, his son Gareth and daughter-in-law Julie, his niece Katie and his grandchildren Bronwyn, Owen and Vivian. He was predeceased by his wife Gail, sister Jan and nephew Kevin.
As reflected in many of the family names, George was incredibly proud of his Welsh heritage; his love of music and singing was often on display.
The family would like to thank all of the incredible nurses, doctors, caregivers and aides for the loving care and attention they gave to George over the past three years. Calling hours will be on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 3-5 p.m. at Pickering & Sons Funeral Homes, 62 West Main St. in Westborough. A celebration of life will be held in Marblehead later this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or The Trustees of Reservations.
