George H. Wallace, 83, longtime resident of Merrimac, passed away suddenly at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was the husband of the late Florence L. (West) Wallace to whom he was married 28 years.
Born in Amesbury on February 9, 1932, George was the son of the late Loren H. and Pansy Mae (Smith) Wallace. He graduated from Merrimac High School, Class of 1949, and completed his higher education at MacIntosh Business School, graduating in 1950. Wallace was employed in the quality control department of Alcatel Lucent for 29 years prior to his retirement in in 1984. He was an accomplished organist who, for 51 years, provided inspired music to the spiritual message at the Atkinson Congregational Church, and offered emotional solace to families at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home. He founded Merrimac Music Service where he provided music lessons for area residents for 11 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a radio operator with the 506th Air Refueling Sq. (SAC), and was honorably discharged in 1956 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He attended Pilgrim Congregational Church of Merrimac for many years, was a member of St. John’s Lodge in Newburyport, and for years served as a volunteer at Anna Jaques Hospital. George was a former member of the American Guild of Organists.
Wallace is survived by his children, Ruth Butterfield of Colorado, Wanda Kranz of Iowa, David Wallace of Exeter, N.H., Carol Gelina of Groveland, James Wallace of Newburyport; step-daughter, Jacqueline Pare of Haverhill; step-son, Bruce Basso of Haverhill; several grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to the funeral Wednesday, May 6, at 1 p.m. at Dole, Childs & Shaw Funeral Home, 148 Main St., Haverhill. Calling hours will precede the funeral from 10 to 12:45 p.m. followed by a Masonic service prior to the funeral. Interment to follow at Locust Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations in George’s memory may be made to the American Heart Assoc., P.O. 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.