George Joseph Rohloff
It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of George Joseph Rohloff, 84, on January 9, 2022 in Little River, South Carolina. George was born on February 25, 1937, in Bayside, New York to George Theodore and Mildred Rohloff. George attended school in New York, graduating from Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in 1959 with a degree in Nautical Engineering. After two years at sea serving in the United States Merchant Marines, George came ashore and began a career in public utilities. He started at Con Edison and then worked a 40 plus year career for the Long Island Lighting company. Although his career was keeping the “lights on” he was known for the many occasions he turned the lights off around the house indicating that he didn’t get any discounts. Highlights of his career include the restoration after Hurricane Gloria and the building of Shoreham nuclear power plant. He carried the disappointment and frustration of the latter for all his days. Although his career was in power generation, the light of his life was Rita M. Bonnell. They married at the Merchant Marine Academy in early May 1961. The two were each other’s lifelong companions, best friends and remained side-by-side their entire 50 plus years of marriage. By God’s
grace, they were blessed with a family, two sons, George Patrick and James Alan. The family lived in Centerport, New York for many years, where they were regularly active in the local church, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs and community. If George had a mistress, it was the sea. All of his adult life he had a boat of some sort. It may have been a small Sailfish or a 46” Bertram. He captained The Catboat,
Princess, The Manitou, The Manitou II, Road to the Isles and High Hopes with family and friends aboard. The family joined Centerport Yacht Club, and later Providence Club in Annapolis, to meet people who loved yachting. After retirement at the turn of the century, George and Rita resettled to Annapolis, Maryland and George returned to his passion, operating marine vessels for a local company, Watermark Cruises. In 2013, after the passing of his wife Rita, George relocated to Little River, South Carolina to continue to operate his last vessel, Rita M in a warmer climate. For several years, George made his way around the intercoastal with faithful dogs by his side and was able to enjoy cruising on the water, into his twilight. George is survived by his two sons, George P. and James A., their wives Jennifer and Claire, and three grandchildren, Ava, Grace and George Thomas. George joins Rita, his parents, Mildred and George Theodore, and his brother Alan in Heaven. Cindy, Nicky, Charity, Boatswain, Max, and Buddy will also be waiting at the gates.
Father we wish you fair seas and a following wind!
Share your stories of remembrance on Thursday, February 3, 2022 from 6pm to 8pm at John M. Taylor Funeral Home, 147 Duke of Gloucester St, Annapolis, MD 21401. On Friday, February 4 there will be a service from 9am to 10am at Saint John Neumann Church, 620 N Bestgate Rd, Annapolis, MD 21401 followed by a burial at the Maryland Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Crownsville, Maryland. An online guest book is available at
www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com