George B. Warner

George Blake Warner of East Hanover Township died in his home on Saturday, March 19, 2022 with his wife by his side.

George was born in the Hershey hospital, March1, 1942. A 1960 graduate of Hershey High School. George was actively involved in multiple sports from football and track to basketball, tennis and swimming. He often recalled the fun he experienced being a member of the Civil Air Patrol with cousin Ardith Curry during the '50s, being vigilant on the roof of the Hershey Community Club. George certainly enjoyed interacting with friends and cousins Beckie and Ardie. He was raised in Fishburn's EUB church and was active in the youth group and choir.

At Shepherd College, West VA, he majored in biology in preparation for the Physical Therapy program at the University of Pennsylvania. George had many happy memories of playing football as the starting center, rafting the Potomac River and participating in the biology course field studies. He was the president of the local chapter of Phi Sigma Epsilon for two terms. He would affectionately describe part of his responsibilities as being a "housemother" for his fraternity house.

George married Lynn just prior to beginning course work at Penn. They were in West Philadelphia and then moved to Secane where they befriended numerous international students and young professionals. Tennis became George's go to sport. While in Philadelphia he practiced physical therapy in acute care at Philadelphia General Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital and as a trainer for a variety of sports at Drexel University. A favorite recreation was camping and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay in their Shearwater catamaran with their Siamese cat who would hiss from the pontoon as motor boats came past. Genevieve, his oldest daughter was born during this time.

George's next major adventure was his preparation in becoming a committed Tar Heel fan as he was enrolled in the masters program in Public Health at UNC. During the two years at UNC we welcomed our oldest son, Michael, from Korea. Mike's first few English words were "Go Heels and Beat Duke!" It was fun attending sporting events and musical programs as grad students with two toddlers. Post graduation George was a Public Health Administrator for the state of Maryland, plus worked as a physical therapist. While employed in Maryland he was the President of the Maryland Physical Therapy Association for over two terms. During his tenure he was active in promoting programs for physical therapy assistants and their role in rehab medicine.

A Maryland employment and purchasing a small farm in PA contributed to the challenges for a young family. Activities such as milking goats, having an organic garden, and restoring a 100 year old farm house provided fodder for many stories. While in York County Frederick and Martha joined the family from Korea; the family also experienced the death of Matthew a few days after his birth. In southern York County George became a founding member of the Barrons Soccer League. The family frequently went sailing on Lake Codorus after attending church at Christ Lutheran in Dallastown.

When Mike and Gens were in high school, a move to the Skinner farm in PA occurred. George traveled to rehabilitation facilities from the Eastern seaboard to Texas as a rehab consultant. He valued attending the school activities for his children including sports and musical programs. During this time George sang barbershop with the Keystone Capital Chorus. Athletically he ran, refereed soccer and played racquetball. The highlight of his running was being a participant in the Marine Corp Marathon in Washington D.C.

During retirement George actively participated in the care of his parents, Roscoe and Virginia and that of his in-laws, Evelyn and Joe Skinner. For a few years he took part in the Senior Games including tennis. He also enjoyed attending auctions and offering exercise classes that addressed balance and strengthening for senior citizens at a variety of Hershey churches.

George was predeceased by his parents, son Matthew, and his in-laws. He is survived by his wife Lynn of 57 years, and his children R. Michael (Perry), Genevieve M., Frederick B. (Cheryl), and Martha A. (Fernando Amar), granddaughter Cheyna L. Warner, and members of his extended family. George valued gatherings of family and friends and the companionship of his numerous pets.

George's memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hershey on May 20th at 11am. There will be a reception after the service for family and friends. In lieu of flowers please consider contributing to March of Dimes at https://www.marchofdimes.org/, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (Hershey), or the charity of your choice in George's memory.

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