George Greenfield

On Sunday, August 4th 2024, at the age of 90 years young, George Anthony Greenfield departed this earthly home and went peacefully to Heaven. The fourth of six children, George was born on May 18,1934 to William Henry Greenfield and Bessie Mary Barbour Greenfield. There were 2 girls and 4 boys – Mary, Henry, Clementine, George, Vincent and Clem. The family resided in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

George was baptized Catholic and would go on to graduate from the St. Mary’s Catholic School in Upper Marlboro. After George retired from the military, he graduated from the University of the District of Columbia with a BA in Business Administration.

In 1951 at the tender age of 17, George decided to follow his older brother Henry into the military. His mother agreed to sign the papers to allow George to enter the U.S. Navy. George’s military service spanned 31 years with him serving in two wars, both the Korean and the Vietnam wars, allowing him to travel the world. George served as an Air Traffic Controller in the radar room of the USS Holder and move up through the military ranks to become a military officer, earning the rank of Chief Petty Officer (CPO). Most importantly, the military helped George to provide for his family. After retiring from the Navy in 1981, George was employed as a Communications Technician with the Chesapeake and Potomac (C&P) telephone company, which ultimately became AT&T. George retired from AT&T in 1995.

In the late 1950s, George met Janice Brockington on a military base, and in 1960, they married. Janice had 4 children - Ricky, Brenda, Zollye and Derrick. To this brood, George and Janice added three additional children – Sherrie, Gerard and Steven. Additionally, after a few years, a granddaughter, Tracie also came to live with them. George and Janice purchased a home in Northeast, Washington DC in which to raise their children. Janice became a Catholic and the family joined St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in the District. After a long marriage, Janice and George divorced from one another and went on to enjoy separate lives. George went on to meet Tyrone Willis who became his best friend.

In addition to his surviving children Sherrie and Gerard, George is survived by a stepdaughter, Brenda Darring, one sister Mary Nelson, daughter-in-law Joyce Black, 14 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of other family and friends.