George Gene Stueck, 82, of Ridgefield, died peacefully on Sunday, June 5, 2022. He was the loving husband of Ellen (Banting) Stueck.
Born on July 7, 1939, in Queens Village, NY; a son of the late Arthur and Florence (Keenan) Stueck. He met his wife Ellen through a group of friends he played with on the Tomahawks Football team where she was a cheerleader for the boys. One of his fondest memories was a as a stock clerk at Food Fair working with his lifelong friend Bill Epstein; here they earned stories to last a lifetime. After having graduated from both Our Lady of Lourdes and Jamaica High School, he spent a semester at Syracuse University studying Forestry, but left to return to NYC and pursue marriage to his sweetheart Ellen Theresa Banting. They married in July 1960 and spent their honeymoon on Nantucket and in Provincetown, MA. Each summer of their married lives the family vacationed on Cape Cod, until the early 1980’s when they returned to Nantucket a home away from home to share with their growing family.
After leaving Syracuse, he was employed at Scandinavian Airlines but left for the up-and-coming IBM where his brothers Clifford and Arthur had begun working earlier. George continued his education, ultimately receiving a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Iona College. At IBM he was able to explore the world while working in the Americas and Far East division traveling to destinations in including Japan, Australia, Brazil, Peru, and Argentina.
A resident of Ridgefield since 1971, as a retired Financial Director for IBM, he continued to use his skills and strengths by volunteering as Treasurer for both the Keeler Tavern and Lounsbury House of Ridgefield. At Founders Hall, he joined the Men’s Club, participating in the Boch Room Boys beer club, enjoyed golfing, sailing, and hiking adventures the club arranged. A man of many interests, he shared these freely with his family leading them to visit countless historical sites, museums, gardens and arboretums, countries and islands, or any place he thought would hold their interest. A great lover of history, he read and built an extensive library. He enjoyed trying local cheeses and fine dining and wines wherever he traveled. It was a long-standing tradition to share Friday night movie dates with Ellen. His music and movie collections would leave no one wanting for something to play, as it spans an enormous variety of interests. George was always a passionate attendee of the Nantucket Film Festival often inviting his childhood friends and family to join him each June.
His family will always remember him as their own personal Father Christmas, from the elaborate Christopher Radko ornaments decorating the tree, to showering each of them with the most special of gifts, he is their spirit of Christmas. He also had a talent of finding the most special cards to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and life’s special moments, highlighted by his whimsical thoughts.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 62 years, Ellen as well as his daughter Nannette of Ridgefield, son Edward (Caroline Daughters) of Radnor, PA, and daughter Melissa (Marc) Reich of Lake Oswego, OR and by his grandchildren, Delaney (Shawn) Howe, Zachary Fone, Benjamin, Sebastian, and Samuel Stueck, and Jackson and Lucinda Reich, and his sister Patricia Rupinen of Lexington, KY. In addition to his parents, Mr. Stueck was predeceased by his son Andrew and his brothers Clifford, Arthur, and Francis.
A funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Church; 55 Catoonah Street, Ridgefield, there will be no calling hours.
In memoriam donations may be made to either the Keeler Tavern or The Lounsbury House of Ridgefield, CT.
Kane Funeral Home, Ridgefield is in care of arrangements.
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