GEORGE W. GOHL
Greenfield, Massachusetts – George Warren Gohl, 81, of 157 Montague City Road and formerly of Sidney, NY, passed on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at the Charlene Manor Extended Care Nursing Facility. His transition was the end of a short and very difficult battle with pancreatic and liver cancer.
He was born on July 18, 1934 in Whitney Point, NY, to the late Warren Frank Gohl and Alberta May (Hodge) Gohl and was educated in local public schools, graduating from Whitney Point High School in 1952. George lived with his grandmother, Luella (Miller) Gohl in Whitney Point from age 9 until high school graduation. While in Whitney Point he worked at the bowling alley, setting pins, and became an excellent bowler, bowling a number of 300 games throughout his entire life. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF), did basic training at Sampson Air Force Base, Romulus, NY and served in the USAF until his retirement in 1974. During his USAF service he travelled a lot and was stationed many times in Germany, these multiple assignments being intermingled with other locations including Biloxi, Mississippi. He served honorably during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, as an electronics technician and radar operator and was a member of the USAF Retiree’s Association. Upon his return to civilian life, he accepted a position with the Bassett Healthcare Network, Tri-Town Regional Hospital in Sidney, NY and worked in the physical plant / maintenance department and retired with over 25 years of service.
He was married three times, the first to Sieglinde “Linda” Kaufler, his second wife the former Joyce May Dunshee and his third wife the former, Kathleen Starr (O’Keefe) all of whom predeceased him. He is predeceased by a younger brother, Theodore A. Gohl and Theodore’s wife, Mary Ellen (Yaeger) Gohl; a step son, Nathaniel Herbert and step grandson Craig Gohl who both passed in April 2013.
He is lovingly remembered by his son, George Dennis Gohl and his spouse, William J. Gobeille of Greenfield, MA.
He is also survived by daughters Rita Gohl and Judy Gohl. In addition he is survived by step sons: Greg Lopez, Chris Lopez; step daughters: Theresa Smith, Dena Hitt and Aggie Gohl; step granddaughters: Vanessa Gohl and Eva Brown; step great granddaughter Isabella Gohl. Additionally, he is survived by younger brothers and sisters-in-law: Howard and Mary Jane Gohl, Norwich, NY; F. Dennis and Kim Wooden-Gohl, Appalachian, NY; sisters and brothers-in-law: Sharon and Butch Gohl-Muserallo, Norwich, NY; Barbara and Bill Rocks, North Norwich, NY; many nieces, nephews and cousins.
George suffered a fairly significant stroke while shoveling snow at Sidney Hospital in 1983 and a short time after that was diagnosed with liver and colon cancer. He did not tell his family, until later, that the liver cancer surgery had a 50% chance of success – but that was George – he was a fighter and a survivor, and many knew him for those attributes. With all those setbacks he enjoyed flower gardening and was always ready to show visitors its progress. George was a railroad enthusiast who enjoyed steam motive power and as well, a model railroad enthusiast who operated “O” gauge and “HO” gauge layouts including his childhood Lionel train. He was an avid philatelist (stamp collector) and was a member of the Delaware County Philatelic Society. One of his great enjoyments later in his life was bowling with his step grandson, Craig. He also was faithful in his church attendance at the First Baptist Church, Bainbridge, NY with his wife, Kathy, Craig and step great grand-daughter Isabella where he could be found welcoming each one entering the door. More than that, he expressed his joy in knowing that his real home was in heaven after accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior later in his life – this major life event occurred not long after his home and belongings in Sidney were wiped out in the Flood of 2006. He and his subtle humor will also surely be missed by many at the Trackside Restaurant who enjoyed seeing him almost daily in the last months of his life in Sidney.
The Gohl family expresses their appreciation to the staff at Charlene Manor Extended Care Rehab Center in Greenfield, MA for their loving care of George in his last days here on earth. A memorial service in honor of his life and recognition of his military service, will be observed on Saturday, April 9th, 2016 at 10:30AM from the First Baptist Church of Bainbridge, 12 S. Main Street, (Rte. #7), Bainbridge, NY,.
A detachment of the USAF will be in attendance. Following the services, a life celebration gathering and brunch will take place at the Howard Johnson’s Hotel and Conference Center, 75 N. Broad Street, Norwich, NY at 1:00PM and all are invited to join George’s family for this time of remembrance. The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, MA, have been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com