George Thomas Esry, III, age 87, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Manor Care Pike Creek on February 17, 2016 joining his beloved wife JoAnna in Heaven. He was a devoted husband of 59 years, a wonderful father, an avid reader, instructor, mentor, dog lover, sports fan and wildlife enthusiast.

Born April 14, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio, the only son of George E. and Clara O. Esry, George graduated from Chagrin Falls High School in 1946, and Case Institute of Applied Science, now Case Western Reserve, in 1950 with a BS in Chemical Engineering. He married JoAnna (Bank) of Niagara Falls, NY in 1955 and was the loving father of three daughters, Gail A. Bensinger (Stuart Krissinger) of Bear, DE, Lisa C. Emory (William), of New Castle, DE, and Dianne E. Esry of Wilmington, DE; grandsons John Emory, Michael Bensinger (Sarah), and Joseph Emory (Lindsey Warren); great-grandchildren Ayden Carrol and Callen Bensinger; brother-in-law Richard Bank (Norma) of West Covina, CA; and uncle to Mark Bank and Brian Bank.

George served in the Army Transportation Corps Research and Development during the Korean Conflict specializing in beachhead assault and evacuation systems. He managed Dascher Chemical Rubber Reclaiming plant in Ashtabula, OH. In 1953, he joined the DuPont Company at Niagara Falls in plastics production management and plant design and then Waynesboro, VA in 1957 supervising Research and Development in Acetate and Orlon, holding several patents in synthetic fiber spinning technology. He became Superintendent at Camden, SC in 1963 for Orlon Research, Quality, Laboratories, and Product Development, and in 1970 joined Business Planning and Management for Acetate, Orlon, Lycra, and Dacron in Wilmington, DE. He served on the Corporate Environmental Advisory Committee and contributed to Federal Clean Water, Clean Air and Super Fund EPA Regulation development. George was a member of several multi-corporate worldwide toxicology consortiums establishing safe exposure limits for workers and plant emissions, and managed the Textile Fibers Beaming Operations for eight plants. He retired from DuPont in 1986 after 33 years, joined Environmental Resources Management, Inc as Environmental Consultant, and became National Sales Manager of ERM Computer Services in 1987. In 1994 he spent two years in private environmental consulting before fully retiring with JoAnna to Elkton, MD. George was owner with JoAnna of three retail businesses over 25 years in Wilmington and New Castle, DE and Quakertown, PA, a licensed realtor in Delaware, member of the American Management Association, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and licensed Chemical Engineer, OH and NY.

A life-long sports enthusiast, George lettered in high school track and was team captain in football and basketball. He pitched over 40 years in fast pitch softball leagues from Cleveland Class A, Army Transportation Corps traveling team, to industrial and city leagues. George was a retired golfer of over 50 years, volunteer for Union Hospital’s Lifeline program, Board Member of the Cecil County Land Trust and the. American Legion, and past member National Honor Society, American Chestnut Society, multiple Rotary clubs, National Wildlife Conservancy and numerous similar organizations. George was a Master Gardener affiliated with the University of Maryland, accomplished lecturer and discussion leader, and volunteer with JoAnna at the Hollingsworth House. The home and gardens he created with JoAnna in Elkton were designated a Wildlife Habitat.

Relatives and friends are invited to a family visitation on Monday, February 22, 2016 at 10:00AM at Immaculate Conception Church, 455 Bow Street, Elkton, MD followed by a mass of Christian burial at 11:00AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research or the Delaware SPCA and mailed to R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A. 122 W. Main St., Newark, DE 19711. The family wishes to thank the staff and George’s friends at the Lorelton Assisted Living Facility, Manor Care Pike Creek, and Delaware Hospice.