George Jeffrey Markley
November 2, 2021
George Jeffrey Markley, age 75, of Fairfield, CT passed away on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 in Fairfield at home with his wife and children by his side, the conclusion of a monthslong struggle with lung cancer. As George’s focus was invariably on caring for others, many were unaware of his illness as he never wanted his diagnosis to be a source of pain or sadness for those around him. He was born in Quito, Ecuador to Dr. Ludwig and Martha Markley, lived briefly in Bridgeport upon arriving in the U.S., and spent nearly every year of the rest of his life living in Fairfield. He truly loved the community he built there.
George was a graduate of Colby College, where he met his wife Chris, to whom he was married for 51 years. He went on to attend New York University Law School, worked for the firm of Goldstein and Peck in Bridgeport for over twenty years and then established his own law practice in his beloved Fairfield. Much more important to George than his professional accomplishments, were his efforts to do good for others in the community. He sought to do so actively through the Fairfield Rotary Club, the Fairfield Foundation for Education, as co-president of the Fairfield High School PTA, as a volunteer leader at Bridgeport’s Downtown Cabaret Theater, as a mentor to children in Bridgeport Public Schools, recruiting for Red Cross blood drives, as a board member at Bridgeport’s Park City Hospital, as leader of Fairfield’s Holocaust Commemoration Committee, and through so many other groups and organizations as well.
At the core of George’s being was his love for Congregation B’nai Israel in Bridgeport, where he served as President, and then as Regional President and North American Board Member for the Union for Reform Judaism. He proudly served as Chair of the Board of the URJ Eisner Camp, where his son and daughter-in-law met and his grandchildren now attend. He was blessed to find a second synagogue home at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, MA, where his son has served as rabbi since 2006.
George is survived by his brother, Milan Markley, of Denver, CO, his wife Chris Markley, of Fairfield, CT, his children Rabbi Todd and Michele Markley of Needham, MA, and his beloved grandchildren, Mia and Adam.
Due to COVID circumstances, the funeral and memorial observances will be held privately. Those who wish to view the funeral service online can do so by visiting www.greensfuneralhome.com for a live stream at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 5.
George’s family asks that those who knew him share memories and stories of him through this online form so they can hold onto them for years to come: bit.ly/GeorgeMarkley Donations in George’s memory can be made to Congregation B’nai Israel, 2710 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, or to Rabbi Markley’s Discretionary Fund at Temple Beth Shalom, 670 Highland Ave., Needham, MA 02494.