George Richmond Blackwood

BLACKWOOD, George Richmond, 48-year resident of Emerson, NJ, on Thursday, April 10, 2014. Born in Motherwell, Scotland August 20, 1921. Son of Peter and Jessie Richmond Blackwood. Beloved husband of Kate Blackwood (nee Lach). Devoted father of Gary H. Blackwood and his wife Edna Villareal of Altadena, CA and of the late James Gordon Blackwood. Dear brother of the late James G. Blackwood. Leaves behind many dear friends, nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family in America and in Great Britain.

Served in the Royal Air Force, 1939-1946, as a wireless operator on Lancaster aircraft in European and West African theaters. Emigrated to the United States in 1956 and became a proud citizen in 1965. An elegant and charming ballroom dancer whose grace was surely a factor in the romance and 50-year marriage to his wife Kate, herself a ballroom dance instructor.

Known for his wonderful sense of humor, recitations of Scottish poems in full Scottish brogue, and for entertaining stories that always grew better with the re-telling. Worked 24 years for Public Service Electric and Gas, Englewood and Hackensack, NJ offices in their accounting department, and in his retirement, part time for Promotional Images of Emerson, NJ. Tireless volunteer and Assistant Scout Master for Boy Scout Troop #67, Emerson, NJ. He was an avid golfer and found great satisfaction in working in and beautifying his own yard and garden.

His cherished RAF motto, "per ardua ad astra" (through peril to the stars), captured his pride and personal connection to his two sons who pursued careers in aeronautical and astronautical engineering. A portion of George's ashes will be carried back to Scotland, where they will be scattered by members of the family clan amongst the heather of the Green Hill, near the town of Waterside, Ayershire, and upon the banks of the Dunaskin Glen that flows to the River Doon. His spirit will thus forever remain in the very place where he played and enjoyed many glorious summers as a boy, near the birthplace of his beloved poet Robert Burns and "just doon the road" from Kirk Alloway, the setting of his most-loved poem, Tam O'Shanter.

Memorial visitation at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Rd, Westwood, NJ on Saturday, April 26, 2014 10-12:30 PM with a service at 11 AM. Interment at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to any cause dear to the heart of the donor.