George L. Jonah Jr.

Born in Lynn, he was the son of the late George and Theresa (Connors) Jonah and was raised in a large extended Irish family of his parents, uncles, aunts and cousins. George was a lifelong Lynn resident, graduating from Lynn English High School, Class of 1955 and New England College of Pharmacy (now Northeastern University) in 1959. He worked at Richmond Pharmacy, the old Lane drugstores, and Corbeil Pharmacy in Peabody. From 1963 until 1995, he was the owner of Berridge Pharmacy on Chestnut Street and in Central Square.

George was the perfect neighborhood pharmacist; Smart, patient, good-natured, and willing to open the store in the middle of the night if someone needed him. Always at the forefront of innovation and technology, he installed the second pharmacy computer system in the nation. He never forgot a customer.

He was proud of his stores but he was proudest of the staff, the pharmacists, assistants and the clerks. He often said, “The best kids in the city worked at Berridge Pharmacy, it’s the reason it was such a great drug store.” Many of these kids went on to become pharmacists.

An accomplished drummer, painter, photographer and classical music buff, he also loved his cottage in Maine. In addition, he enjoyed spending time in Tanglewood and Vanderbuilt Beach, Florida. He was a world traveller visiting Ireland, Italy, England, and enjoying cruises to the Caribbean and Hawaii. He made two trips to China and was actually in Tiananmen Square during the student uprising in 1989.

He was a member of the Valladolid Council #70 Knights of Columbus and president of the Lynn Merchants Association and also a YMCA runner, participating in their 100-mile run program. An active member of St. Pius V Parish, he was a CYO adviser and one of the first Eucharistic ministers later becoming an assistant to the chaplain at the hospitals.

He was the force behind his wife’s five successful campaigns for Lynn School Committee, and served as an advisor to her real estate business.

Most importantly, he was the perfect grandfather to his eleven grandchildren - enthusiastic, fun loving, imaginative, and uncritical. Recently in failing health, he was brave, uncomplaining and fought hard to keep active and involved in his many interests and the lives and accomplishments of his grandchildren.

George leaves his wife of 55 years, Annmarie (Pennino) Jonah, five children: Joanne and her husband Jorge Domeniconi of Belmont; James of Palmer; David and his wife Pamela Kouroubacalis of Lynnfield; Eileen and her husband Sean Daly of Lynnfield; and Kristen and her husband Jon Morehouse of Stonington, Connecticut. He also leaves the best grandkids in the world: Alex, Marcelo, and Will Domeniconi; Domenic and Vanessa Jonah; Connor, Shannon, and Jonathan Daly; and Claire, Caroline and Chloe Morehouse. He leaves his sister-in-law and her husband, Lois and Robert Barnard of New Fane, Vermont, and brother-in-law Michael Pennino of Milton, New Hampshire, and his niece and nephews; Kaitlyn, Michael and James Pennino. He was the youngest of eleven cousins. He is survived by his oldest cousin and godfather, J. Paul Veronese of Magnolia, and many second cousins. He loved his faithful dog and companion Cocoa as well as his grand dogs Buddy, Sydney, Larry, Melvin, and Keke.

George’s heart was full of family, music, art and dogs, a life well lived. Anyone who knew him will carry the memory of his spirit with them always.

George’s Funeral will be held from the CUFFE-MCGINN FUNERAL HOME, 157 Maple St. Lynn on Tuesday at 9:00AM followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Pius V Church at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends invited. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Visiting Hours Monday 3-7PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be sent to the Bethany Health Care Center, 97 Bethany Rd. Framingham, MA 01702.