George A. Blanco

George A. Blanco, 97, of Hickory Hill Road in North Egremont passed away Friday, June 14th, 2024 in his home.

Born January 6, 1927 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the son of Ildefonso and Louis Valdes Blanco. He graduated in 1944 from Stuyvesant High School located in New York City.

George entered World War II on September 20, 1944. He enlisted in the Navy V5 Program as an aviation cadet. His ratings held were AC, S2C, S1C, AS, and Aviation Cadet. He completed service schools as an aviation radioman. After stints in the Navy V-12 Unit in Maryville, MO and Miami, OH, he was sent to the Naval Air Station in Glenview, IL where he underwent training as a tail gunner destined for the Pacific theater. In August of 1945, President Harry Truman made the difficult decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan which precipitated the end of WWII. George was later Honorably Discharged from the US Navy on November 13, 1946.

After the war, George went on to attend New York University in New York City, graduating in June, 1950 with a Bachelor of Science from the School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance.

George married his wife, Muriel "Mickey" Tuohy on January 27, 1951 in Resurrection Ascension Church in Middle Village, New York. Living in New Hyde Park on Long Island, they raised 4 sons. Together the family began visiting the Berkshires for skiing trips in 1972 and eventually made the Berkshires their home.

After holding many jobs over the years since WWII, George bought into a family typewriter and adding machine business in New York City. When the burgeoning Word and Data Processing technology began in the late 70's, George sold his interest in the typewriter business and founded G. A. Blanco and Sons, Inc. in 1976 to address the growing needs for the supplies associated with this new technology. Operating this business from the basement of his home in New Hyde Park, he moved the business and the family up to the Berkshires in August of 1977.

George was an avid skier, golfer, and a businessman. George and his wife Mickey were well known amongst the social circles of the Great Barrington area which included many friends and eating establishments.

George was also a very faithful fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers (until they went to Los Angeles thanks to Robert Moses), and the New York Football Giants.

George is survived by two sons, Edward of North Egremont, and Douglas of Sarasota FL. He also leaves three granddaughters Shannon, Katy (and her husband Colin), and Kierstan; two grandsons Kevin (and his wife Tessa) and Joey; and two great grandchildren Parker and Brynlee. He also leaves his daughter in law Barbara (married to Thomas,George's eldest son who passed in 1999).

George was predeceased by his wife Muriel (Mickey) and by two sons, Thomas and Kevin.

The funeral service for George A. Blanco will be Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 10:00AM at Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, MA. Burial will follow at Saint Peter's Cemetery in Great Barrington.

Calling hours for George A. Blanco will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:00PM at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires, Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad, or the Egremont Fire Department through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington MA 01230. Remembrances may be sent to the family though www.finnertyandstevens.com