WILKINSON, George T. Of Marshfield, formerly of Duxbury, Weymouth and Lighthouse PT.FL passed away peacefully on January 29th shortly after his 91st birthday after a brief illness. Devoted husband for 67 years of the late Margaret E (Donahue). Beloved son of the late James and Marion of Weymouth. Loving father of the late Holly (Vulliet) of France, Geoffrey and his wife Nancy of Duxbury, George JR of Windermere FL and former wife Susan and Margaret “Happy” Jacobs and her husband Howard of Norwell. Brother of Robert from FL and the late Howard from Dartmouth MA. Cherished Grampa of 13 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren along with many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Wilkinson was born in Quincy MA and graduated from Weymouth High School class of 1941 and then graduated class of 1943(J) from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) N.Y. as a marine engineer. He became a chief engineer during his tenure shipping out. During WWII he sailed on merchant vessels running from the US East Coast to Africa and had numerous encounters with German ‘wolf pack’ submarines that he narrowly avoided sinking by having good shipmates that together saved their vessel that was hauling military armaments. They were able to get into port in Africa safely twice under duress. He retired from Merchant Marine service after the war in 1946 and then came home to work for Metropolitan Coal & Oil as a service technician. In order to support a growing family he rented a service station in lower Jackson SQ. in Weymouth and started to perform car repairs as well as work as an oil burner service technician at the same time. It was there that in 1951 he started George T. Wilkinson Co a commercial-industrial heating service and installation firm that continues today into its 3rd generation and 63 years of continuous operation.
Mr. Wilkinson was a hard driver of people and was also a very compassionate man. He had helped many people in times of need quietly and without fanfare. His relaxation was golf and was a lifetime member of Marshfield Country Club where he served on numerous building committees and had many close friends. His passion was cooking and he always made meals that were gourmet and especially Thanksgiving dinners. He always said that he would have been the best chef at his favorite restaurant the Red Coach Grill in Hingham. That was his and Margaret’s favorite place of all to dine out. Later in life he was totally held captive by the activities of his grandchildren and recently his great grandchildren. Mr. Wilkinson went to his office on a regular basis and technically never retired. He just took a lot of vacation time. He always said he’d work until the day he passed.
An open house celebration of his life (which he insisted) will be held at the offices of The Wilkinson Companies, 405 VFW DR. Rockland MA. 781-335-2622 on Tuesday, February, 4th 2014 from 3:00-7:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Massachusetts Maritime Academy Foundation Inc. 101 Academy DR. Buzzards Bay, MA 02534 c/o The Wilkinson Family Scholarship Fund. Att: Ms. Holly Knight.
Arrangements made by The MacDonald Funeral Home Marshfield MA.02050.
For online guestbook please visit our website, www.macdonaldfuneralhome.com