Obituary of George Nolen

George Nolen Sr., aka "Big Geo", passed away Friday, May 15, 2009 at the age of 58 after his battle with cancer. His final days were spent at the Kaplan Hospice residency in Newburgh. George was nothing short of the ideal family man. Survived and ever supported by his loving wife, Merrill and her parents, Bill and Angelina Wise; first son, George Jr. and his wife, Karen Nolen and their daughter and his only grandchild, Ava Rose; his second son, Gregory with girlfriend, Rosalia Manzella; his three close brothers, Edward, Donald and Jeffery; sisters-in-law, Kathleen DeFiglio and Luanne Nolen; and brotherin-law, Tom DeFiglio. Amazing love and support was also forever provided by Mauricio and Rosie Berdugo, parents of his daughter-in-law, Karen and the entire Berdugo family and close and dear family friends, Steven and Deborah Connelly. George was born to Chester and Carmella Nolen on Jan. 23, 1951 in Peekskill. George was the eldest of four boys. His early love of various sports, especially baseball and the amazing New York Mets began at an early age and would soon lead him to become coach of various Town of Poughkeepsie baseball teams in which his two sons played. Upon graduation of Peekskill High School in 1968, George enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1971. It was shortly after, during the summer of 1971, that he met his soon to be beautiful wife, Merrill Wise, on a blind date. In less than a year they were engaged on St. Patrick's Day 1972 and married on July 14, 1973 and spend 35 years happily married. They began their lives together in various areas of Dutchess County, but ultimately settled in the Town of Poughkeepsie, where they raised their two sons, George Jr. and Gregory. George worked at IBM East Fishkill and Poughkeepsie collaboratively for 33 years. After his retirement, he began working for the New York State Bridge Authority until he was diagnosed with brain cancer in March 2009. George Nolen Sr. lived his life to spend time with his family and loved ones, whether it be camping in upstate New York, barbequing in the backyard, closely following his sons sports teams, hosting seasonal and holiday gatherings at his home with his wife, Merrill, playing with his numerous pet dogs throughout the years (Honey Dog, Chubbs, Carl, Timmy and Barney), reading a new novel or watching his favorite New York sports team live or on television. George would like to be remembered as a committed family man, loving husband, compassionate father, big brother, Marine, dedicated rock n' roll fan, dog lover, eternal Mets fan and a man who took advantage of the wonderful gift of life. Calling hours will be 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 20, in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the Nolen family would like donations to be made out to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties Inc. and sent to Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, 1 Sunrise Lane, Newburgh, NY 12550.