SIDNEY – George Ezzy passed away on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2021 and persevered through nearly two years of treatment before finally succumbing to the disease. His strength and courage throughout was a testament to George’s love of life, willpower, and commitment to his family.

George was born in Hamlin on April 15, 1938 to the late Anthony and Germaine Ezzy. He is the third youngest of eight children.

He graduated from Van Buren High School in 1956. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of Maine Farmington in 1961 and a master’s degree in Guidance from the University of Maine Orono in 1967. He married the love of his life, Shirley Elias, in 1972.

George worked the majority of his career at the Maine Department of Labor. He was passionate about his work, especially rehabilitation. Upon retirement from state service, George created the New Horizons Academy which was a program designed to help at risk youth. He was active in politics throughout his life and cared deeply about creating redemptive opportunities for young people. People who worked with George knew of his tenacity and strong work ethic. Retirement was not a word in George’s vocabulary. George got older, but he never got “old.”

George had a variety of talents and interests. He loved to garden and was known for his huge zucchinis, tomatoes, and corn. He was an avid outdoorsman. Hunting and fishing were his favorite hobbies and his annual fishing trips with his close friends to northern Maine were a priority throughout his lifetime. Despite his battle with cancer, he even made an appearance on the fishing trip in May of this year.

George had a zest for life that made people want to be around him. He had a way of making strangers feel like family. He loved a good steak or lobster feed, and hosted many family gatherings over the years. His sense of humor was magnetic. He would plan out jokes and jabs for gatherings with family and friends that may include silly props or songs that he would write and sing with his brother, Pete.

He loved to host card games with his friends and never shied away from grabbing a microphone, just like his father, to say a few inspiring words at family gatherings.

George was deeply spiritual. His wisdom on life was a guiding light for his family and friends. He had a unique ability to balance his deep philosophical wisdom with his whimsical bright sense of humor. He was very grateful for the blessings in his life and was a voice of reason and guidance for his loved ones. George will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

He was predeceased by his brothers Peter, Gabriel and Michael Ezzy, and his sister, Antonia Davis.

He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Shirley E. Ezzy of Sidney; his daughter, Jennifer Ezzy and her husband Kevin Charette of Manchester, his daughter, Julie Ezzy Payne and her husband Jeremy Payne of Manchester, his son, Paul Ezzy of Bangor; and his granddaughters Katie, Emily, and Ashley Payne of Manchester. He is also survived by his sisters Cecile Sparhuber of New York, Betty Fitzgerald and her husband Geoff of New Hampshire, and Thecla Quine of Virginia.

Relatives and friends may visit on Monday, Sept. 11 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Western Avenue, Augusta. Burial and committal prayers will follow in Holy Family Cemetery, Townsend Road, Augusta.

Condolences, stories and photos may be shared through the funeral home website at: http://www.plummerfh.com.

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