George Edward Nies

George Edward Nies, 87, passed away at Hospice of the Golden Isles on August 21, 2023. He was a resident of St. Simons Island for 43 years. He was born on July 31, 1936, to the late George Anthony Nies and Arline Georgia Schodt Nies in Erie, PA.

He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and elementary school in Erie, graduating from 8th grade in June 1950. He attended Erie Technical High School graduating in June 1954 as a wood pattern maker. He attended Gannon College pre-engineering in Erie for two years prior to transferring to the University of Detroit to complete his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree in 1959. He interned with the Chrysler Corporation Automotive and Missile Divisions in Detroit while attending college. After graduation, he continued his career with Chrysler in Detroit and was transferred to Huntsville, AL, Chrysler Space Division in 1960. His projects included support of Redstone Arsenal. He joined Union Carbide Corporation, Linde Division, Tonawanda, NY in 1963 as a project engineer in the Cryogenic development lab, doing various projects for Union Carbide and NASA development projects. In 1980, he moved to St. Simons Island, GA after being transferred to Union Carbide Agriculture Division in Woodbine, GA as a project engineer in Plant Engineering. He retired from Rhône Poulenc (UCC/Bayer Corp.) in 1987. In 1990, he joined the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Brunswick, GA in the Design & Construction Branch as a Project Engineer. He was involved in rehabbing older buildings and in the Design and Construction of new buildings. George retired from FLETC in 2005.

George was an active member of St. William Catholic Church, St. Simons Island. He was an usher for 30 plus years, including being head usher for 12 years. He was a member of the Hospitality Committee and enjoyed dressing up as St. Nicholas for the children at Christmas.

He is survived by his wife Laura, daughter Barbara Nies Smith (Charlie), Decatur, GA; son George Allen Nies (Heather-Leigh), Lilburn, GA and grandchildren Catherine, Rosalyn and Vivian; son Charles Joseph Nies (Holly), McDonough, GA and grandchildren Graham and Georgia; stepdaughters Kim Jackson, Nashville, TN; and Kathleen Schneider (Matt), Jupiter, FL and grandchildren Cassandra, Julia and twins Allison and Jackson. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Nies Mann, Pompano Beach, FL. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brother John (Jack) Nies and sister-in-law Carol Nies.

George will be lovingly remembered as a kind, caring, thoughtful person who was a skilled organizer and provider. He was resourceful and innovative, a true Mechanical Engineer who was also a talented builder, mechanic and wood worker. He enjoyed classic cars and working on anything that had an engine. He constructed cradles, rocking horses and tables and chairs for each family as the grandchildren came along. Most of all he loved his family and we were honored to have him call us family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. William Catholic Church on Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:00 am.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home, www.edomillerandsons.com, is in charge of the arrangements.