George Ernest Gardiner

1916 - 2011

George Ernest Gardiner, age 94, passed away peacefully at his home in Long Beach on January 28, 2011. George was born on April 25, 1916 in Providence, Rhode Island, the oldest of five children to George and Lavinia Gardiner. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 18 and was honorably discharged in Long Beach, CA. He married the love of his life, Stephanie, in 1940 and together they raised their three children in Long Beach. George was a letter carrier for the Long Beach Post Office from 1946 - 1971. He was a tremendous athlete and especially enjoyed playing baseball and golf. George is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Stephanie; his three children, Gary Gardiner, Judy von Arx (John) and Kathy Gardiner; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Raymond of Rhode Island; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Luyben-Dilday Mortuary, 5161 E. Arbor Rd., Long Beach. The family will gather for interment on Friday, February 11 at Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Riverside. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation at P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-05 or www.macular.org. Please sign the guestbook at luybenfamilyd-m.com. "Athletes die two deaths, one when they stop playing and one when they stop breathing." - John Wooden

Luyben Family Dilday-Mottell (562) 425-6401