White River Jct., VT - George Grigel, 88, died Saturday June 15th at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

He was born November 11, 1924 in Berlin, New Hampshire to Mikhail and Julianna (Baronkay) Grigel, immigrants from Czechoslovakia. George attended Catholic schools in Berlin, and graduated from Berlin High School in 1943. He immediately joined the war effort and enlisted in the 10th Mountain Division (Alpine) on June 22nd of 1943. This unit was to become the famous first cold weather mountain infantry division of the US Army. He became a Sergeant and served in the 710th Ordnance Company of the Tenth, training in Colorado and joining the Italian campaign as a Field Armorer with special expertise in the 110mm Howitzer and Browning Automatic Rifle.

George married Doris Derosier of Berlin, NH in 1948, and began his employment with Swift & Co. Premium Meats at their Berlin, NH location. He worked as a salesman until he was transferred to the White River Junction plant in 1953. He was Plant Superintendent for Swift's until his retirement in 1982.

George was an outdoor enthusiast and skated, skied, and walked whenever he could. George was a well known resident of Demers Avenue on Taft Flats in White River Junction for 51 years. He was acknowledged by all as a story teller and a man who was proud of his ability to talk to "anybody, anywhere, anytime, about anything". He was active at St. Anthony's Church as an usher and in organizing many barbeques and church events. He was an avid gardener who supplied tomatoes to all who stopped by. As a sportsman he was a masterful fly-fisherman and hunter. When his family was young and there were many children on the street, he was the bicycle, skate, ski and general handyman. He flooded rinks in freezing temps so kids could enjoy the winter skating as he did as a kid. He was also famous for his military 'buzz cuts' which he gladly supplied free of charge to all the boys. For many of his later years he was proud of decorating the neighborhood at Christmas time.

George was a well respected and widely admired man who was known as a benefactor to all. He loved his wife and children, and will be missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his first son, John in 1960 and his eldest grandson, John Tulloch in 2003 as well as five siblings, Veronica, Mary, Annie, Michael, and Albert.

George is survived by his wife of 64 years, Doris, his daughter Gail and husband Michael Tulloch of Canton , NY, sons, Glen and wife Sallie Amerando of Potsdam, NY, and Jim and wife Cindy of East Thetford, VT; his grandchildren Nathan, Sarah, David, Joshua, and Anna Tulloch; as well as Jackie Currell, Haley Grigel, and Jeffrey and Julia Grigel. George's first great-grandchild was born on April 19th of 2013: George Charles Tulloch, born to David and Caitlin Tulloch of South Hamilton, Mass. He also leaves a younger sister, Lillian Brennan of Sarasota, Florida and many nieces and nephews.

A time of visitation will be held at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct. on Wednesday June 19th from 1-2PM with a memorial service following at 2PM. Burial will be in the St. Kieran Cemetery in Berlin at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Bugbee Senior Center 262 N Main St., White River Junction, VT 05001 or the Wounded Warrior Project PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.