LINCKLAEN – The Northeast Classic Car Museum’s most generous benefactor, George E. Staley, passed away at his home on Friday. He was 92.

Norwich Police Chief Joseph Angelino, who had the opportunity to know Staley through the museum, described him as a man of intelligence, wit and generosity and “the greatest of the greatest generation.”

“Through his generosity, so many things happened,” said Angelino, pointing out both Staley’s involvement with the NECCM and his efforts to restore his former school house, which is now the DeRuyter Town Hall. “He had such vision and such compassion to do good.”

Angelino said Staley was a humble man for all he had seen and done in his lifetime. He traveled the world during his career in the aviation industry, not only owning his own repair company, but also serving as a consultant to the U.S. military during World War II.

It was after returning home to Lincklaen in 1988 following his retirement, that Staley began to concentrate more fully on his lifelong passion for collecting and restoring antique automobiles.

Through the NECCM, which he helped found in 1995, Staley shared his passion – and his impressive collection – with the world.

According to Phil Giltner, a member of the NECCM board of directors, the museum owes its existence, and success, to Staley.