George G. Lessard, Sr.

Longtime Mattituck resident George G. Lessard Sr., at age 83, passed away at home Sept. 22, 2014 after a prolonged illness, surrounded by his family and caretaker. 

George was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and was born March 14, 1931, on the North Fork where he made his home and raised his family. George was a graduate of Mattituck High School Class of 1948 having served as class president.

After high school George proudly served his nation in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician aboard the USS Turner from 1949 to 1953. After his discharge from the Navy, George returned home to the North Fork where he continued in his father’s footsteps as a skilled carpenter and member of Local Union 290 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. George eventually met the love of his life, Frances Lamaka of Peconic, and her married in 1956. Together they raised a beautiful family of seven children.

George loved giving back to the community in so many ways but especially loved serving the community as an active firefighter for the Mattituck Fire Department for over 61 years. He also served as past Suffolk County fire coordinator for the 8th Division,  past chief of Mattituck Fire Department, past captain of the fire police, and was elected as a fire district commissioner for nearly 20 years. He was also an active member of the Southold Town fire chiefs council.

George actively served the Sacred Heart Parish as an usher where he was faithfully seen every Saturday evening at the 5 p.m. mass sitting in the back of the church until his illness prevented him from attending mass regularly.

George was predeceased by his wife, Frances, in 2000. He is survived by his son, George and daughter-in-law Diane of Laurel; daughter Karen Diffley and son-in-law Jerry of Mattituck; daughter Lauren Lessard-Kratoville of Riverhead; daughter Donna Zaweski and son-in-law Danny; daughter Therese Donnelly and son-in-law Mike of Yorktown Heights, N.Y.; daughter Valarie Rutherford and son-in-law Paul of Dover, Del.; and daughter Keri Williams and son-in-law Mark of Bel Air, Md. George is also survived by 18 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter  on the way.

The family will receive visitors Wednesday, September 24, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Coster Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A funeral service will be held Thursday, Sept. 25, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church in Mattituck.

Memorial donations may be made to Mattituck Fire Department or the Dementia Society of America.