George J. Wolfenden Jr. Of California, formerly of Tewksbury, July 30, beloved husband of Donna L. (Gailes). Devoted father of Lara Crowley and her husband Erik of Rye, NH., George J. III of Somerville, Kyle of Woburn and Daryl of Somerville. Stepfather of Russell Earle of Tewksbury, Eric Earle of No. Andover and Kris Earle of Billerica. Loving grandfather of Noelle Wolfenden. Son of the late Mary (Rossi) and George J. Wolfenden. Brother of Donna Chrisbaie of Rehoboth, Debra Tourangeau of Fl. and Mark Wolfenden of Seekonk Also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral from the Dello Russo – Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 374 Main St. Wilmington, on Monday, August 10 at 9 AM, followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. William Church, 1351 Main St. Tewksbury at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours Sunday 4-8. Interment will be private.It has been requested that in lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy be sent in George’s memory to the American Heart Association 20 Speen St. Framingham, MA 01701 or to the American Diabetes Association, 330 Congress St.. 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02210 Late USMC Veteran of the Vietnam War. Late member of the ANGLICO Association.
Obituary:
Mr. Wolfenden passed peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, July 30th at his residence in Irvine, CA.
George grew up in Watertown, MA with his brother and two sisters, later moving to Dighton, MA after his freshman year of high school. He would go on to graduate from Dighton-Rehoboth Regional High School in 1962, where he excelled in football, basketball and track. As the most accomplished football player in the Falcon’s then short history, George was named to the 1st team on the Small School All-Bristol County football squad his Senior year. Probably his most amazing feat, however, was that he had earned these athletic honors suffering through severely impaired vision. When his children teased and asked him how he could catch the pigskin if he couldn’t see it, he would smirk and reply jokingly “I’d smell the ball.”
After High School, he attended Indiana University on a football scholarship. At the end of his freshman year, however, George made what was to him a natural decision: surrendering his football dreams and enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, as his father did before him. He went on to proudly serve his country in the Vietnam War operating in one of the Corps’ specialized ANGLICO units, coordinating naval gunfire and close air support.
Upon discharge from the Corps, George finished his education at Bentley College, where he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Shortly thereafter, George joined Charter Information LLC, a payroll services firm. George was a key player in building the firm into a leader in the small business Payroll Service industry, quickly earning himself a partnership. After his 20 plus years with CI, George and his two partners made the decision to profitably sell the business to a Texas firm in 1997.
Following the sale of this successful business venture, he broke new ground with Payroll Express LLC, of which he was the sole founder. Using his vast industry experience, along with the successful marketing of his patented payroll service software package, LINK, George created yet another lucrative business enterprise in a significantly shorter period of time, selling it in 2005.
George then moved to Irvine, CA with his wife, Donna, working as Assistant Controller for ProSource Inc. He lived for several years enjoying the west coast’s laid-back lifestyle under the California sun before his untimely passing.
Naturally, Mr. Wolfenden was a passionate sports fan and loved to follow all New England teams. He also served the community by coaching Tewksbury Youth Basketball for several years, leading many of those teams to championships. Whether it was playing, coaching or working to grow a business, George’s fierce competitive nature never escaped him.
George was extremely dedicated to his wife of thirty years, children, grand-daughter, siblings and extended family. He could always be counted on for his seemingly endless support and generosity, and was a constant source of inspiration to all who knew him. George left behind a proud legacy as a true American patriot, and an avid pursuer - and eventual finder of - the American dream.