George W. Fay

April 20, 1924 –May 2, 2015

Born on Easter Sunday to Louise Johnson Fay and Norvin A. Fay, a fourth generation Californian, he was the younger brother of Nancy Fay Minnis and Ellen Fay Niello. Beginning life in Sacramento, he also lived in Rio Vista, and at the age of ten moved to San Francisco, where he attended Winfield Scott School, Marina Junior High, and graduated from Galileo High School in 1942. He graduated from California Maritime Academy with the rank of Navy Ensign and sailed as third mate in the United States Merchant Marine. By the end of World War II, he attained the rank of first mate.

In November 1945 he married Bette Frank whom he met in his junior year at high school, a marriage that lasted 69 ½ years.

Leaving the Merchant Marine, he went to work for The River Lines, Inc., Pier 3, San Francisco. He kept his San Francisco Bar Pilot’s license active for many years. He was a man of many talents and interests; a sailor, often racing on his Cal 34 named “Phase” , and an avid sportsman in Alaska, Mexico, Spain, and the Suisun Marsh with friends and his three sons. He became an air pilot, flying his Beechcraft Bonanza to various business appointments. With his father he became a pear grower, developing orchards and a fresh packing operation which became known as Steamboat Orchards, located on Steamboat Slough in the Sacramento Delta. This family business operated for 93 years. He was a long-time member of the Bohemian Club and the St. Francis Yacht Club. He was a Boy Scout leader of Mill Valley Troop 33. He was very proud to have three grandsons acquire Eagle Scout status. George and Bette loved traveling to Europe, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and Palm Desert with family and friends.

A loving family man and loyal friend to many, he would answer to “Have a nice day ”with the response, “Every day is a nice day, some are better than others. ”George was 91 years old.

George is survived by his loving wife Bette, whom he always called his Bride, and his four children; Gary (Leslie), John (Amy), Michael (Margaret), and daughter Janet Fay Conner (John), by his ten grandchildren; granddaughters, Erika (Steve), Laura (Erich), Emily (Kirk), and Jaclyn Conner, his grandsons, Nathaniel (Anya), Ryan, Alex (Mary Pat), Julian, Aaron, Jacob , and by his seven great grandchildren; great-granddaughters Cameron and Sasha, and great-grandsons Reece, Owen, Soren, Ilan and Raphael. He is also survived by his brother- inlaw Richard Niello.

George is predeceased by his parents, sister Nancy and brother-in-law Bill Minnis, sister Ellen Niello, and granddaughter Sarah Fay.

Private family services will be held at a later date

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.