George Karl Gardner Jr.

Portland - Dr. George K Gardner, Jr, surrounded by his loved ones, passed away at the age of 73 after complications from bypass surgery. In the days leading up to surgery, he was still doing what he loved most: spending time with family, practicing medicine, helping others, and hunting in the woods of Maine with his sons and long-time hunting partners.

George was born on April 23, 1944, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Raised by his parents, George and Virginia Gardner, he was an older brother to his sister, Betty Osman. After graduating from Susquehanna Township High School in 1962, George earned a Bachelor of Science at Lebanon Valley College. He then moved to Kirksville, Missouri, where he completed his Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine from Kirksville College of Osteopathy and Surgery in 1970.

After internship, George’s first experience in medicine was with the US Navy Seabees in Davisville, Rhode Island, during the Vietnam war. His passion and love for the New England outdoors began there, where he harvested lobsters and blue fish in Narragansett Bay and escaped to the mountains of Northern New England to ski. Having completed his stint in the Navy, and following his love for the outdoors, George moved to Maine, where he opened his first practice. In over 40 years of practicing medicine in Southern Maine, George had offices in Scarborough and Buxton.

Maine was the perfect environment for a passionate fisherman and hunter and George spent countless hours seeking fish and wildlife. In the Gulf of Maine, he fished for stripers, blue fish, mackerel, tuna, and shark. More recently, he pursued winter fishing adventures in the warm waters of Florida, where he successfully landed tarpon, mahi-mahi, snapper, sailfish and yellow tail. In the woods, George’s long list of successful hunts included moose, bear, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, fowl and deer. In his final season of hunting in the Fall of 2017, he harvested a 4-point whitetail buck with a crossbow at the Curry farm.

George also loved playing and watching sports. He was a star high school basketball and football player, and he faithfully stood along the sidelines at sporting events of his children and grandchildren. He religiously followed the New England Patriots and the Boston Bruins, Celtics, and Red Sox.

George was well known for his generosity to others, touching the lives of many long-time patients and friends. When he had friends that could not afford his outdoor adventures, such as traveling out of state for a fishing or hunting trip, he would bring them along and expect nothing in return. Over his 40 years of practicing medicine, he would exercise his generosity by assisting those who needed healthcare, but couldn’t afford it. Late in his career, he had moved towards more patient oriented care by guaranteeing 30 minutes per visit with his patients. As recently as December, he was making house calls to those who were not mobile and needed medical assistance.

More than anything, George loved spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife Denise of over 20 years, his daughter, Kristin Gardner and husband Jeremy Harder of Big Sky, Montana; two sons, Matthew Gardner of Old Orchard Beach and Benjamin Gardner and wife, Katie of South Portland; step-daughter, Julie Raychard of Buxton, and sister, Betty Osman and her three children, Chris, Aaron, and Jenny. Grampa, Grampy or Grampy-Fish was adored by his five grandchildren, Aubrey, Jacob, Elijah, Jackson, and Olivia. As close as family were his long-time employees, Erin O’Donnell of Gray, and Denine Holmes of New Gloucester

A viewing will be held on Thursday January 11, 2018 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Jones Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St, Portland, ME.

A Celebration of Life will be held in his honor on Friday January 12, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Woodfords Congregational Church, 202 Woodford St, Portland, ME. Please join us.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 51 US-1 #M, Scarborough, ME 04074 in George’s memory.

You may offer your condolences or share your stories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com