George R. Brewster, 82, of Roanoke, Virginia (formerly a long-time resident of Corning, NY) passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully on May 4th.
George was born January 18, 1939 in Randolph, MA to Margaret R (McAuliffe) Brewster and George Wilbur Brewster. He attended Northeastern University and graduated with honors in 1961, with a degree in accounting. During his time at Northeastern, he was an ROTC cadet and upon graduation, was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served for three years and was honorably discharged. Early in his career George worked for Honeywell Corporation, prior to joining Corning Inc. in 1968. He worked for 34 years in many different roles for the company starting as a first line shift supervisor to ending in his most fulfilling role, as the Manager of College Relations and Recruiting. George was instrumental in developing Corning Inc. role in diversity hiring for the engineering disciplines. He was a member of many professional associations, but the two that meant the most to him were the Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). SWE honored George in 1985 by presenting him the Rodney D. Chipp Memorial Award. It is an award presented to a man or a company who increased the hiring and promotion of women engineers and women engineering students. He was regarded as a champion of women engineers which led to him creating a scholarship fund for high school women entering the engineering field. The scholarship was named after his mother, Margaret R Brewster, who was one of the first female postmasters in the United States. It was a role that he exceled at and one he loved to do. He retired in 2002.
After his retirement, he continued to stay involved and lend a hand where he could. As a consummate human resource professional, he was always willing to help or offer advice to friends, colleagues and Corning employees about career paths and challenges they faced…which usually took place over a beer or two. One of his favorites sayings was that “alcohol was the oil of conversation and you can solve a lot of life’s challenges by sharing a beer.” George was loved and respected by many and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
George is predeceased by the love of his life, his wife Judi. They were married for 43 years prior to her death in 2006 and were together from high school until her passing. He is survived by his sons and spouses, George R Brewster Jr (Judith), David Brewster (Karen), Patrick Brewster and his “loved like a son” family friend Blaine Leipold (Bridgette). “Pop-Pop” is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Sara, Allison, Colin, Donovan, Drew, Abigail and Dylan. He is also survived by three of “man’s best friends”, his grand dogs, Moose, Ava and Bowie. He was a long time and devoted member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and stayed actively involved for 40 years. He has a lifelong connection with the community of Corning and an amazing group of close friends and confidants that will miss him dearly.
A funeral mass will be held in Corning, NY at 10 a.m. on Saturday June 19th, 2021 at St. Mary’s Church, 155 State St. Corning, NY. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in George’s name to All Saints Catholic Parish, 158 State St. Corning, NY or to Care First/Hospice, (www.carefirstny.org) 3805 Meads Creek Road, Painted Post, NY 14870.
Rader Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the family with local arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.rader-funeralhome.com.
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