George was my older cousin.  I loved seeing his model railroad set up in the attic of his parents' home whenever we visited.  I spent several summers with his mom and dad in Jersey City after he was grown and married.  I remember his wedding to Mary and how exciting it was to be there on the Princeton campus.

I am Glenn Logan Reitze. As far as I know, I  never met George H. Reitze, unless it was when I was too young to remember. But having just accidentally encountered this notice of his death, I realize that it is very, very likely we were cousins. I too was born in Jersey City, and I am now 68. My grandfather, B.J. ("Barney") Reitze immigrated to Jersey City from Harburg, Germany, in 1886. He had brothers named George and Frederick who also lived at one time in Jersey City, and I recall my father mentioning (in the 1950s) a "Cousin George" (probably George Sr.) also living in Jersey City.  I'd  like to make contact with the family to give you some of the materials I have on our common ancestors, including one photo of the brothers, their younger sister, and their mother and father taken before they immigrated to Jersey City. I can be reached at 540 435-6454 or at glennreitze@yahoo.com (although I often let weeks pass between checking my email), or at 6301 W. Donnagail Dr., Penn Laird, VA 22846. 
P.S.-- I noticed that someone named Maurer also posted here. The maiden name of my grandmother (Barney's wife) Charlotte Maurer. Could this person also be a relative? I also have several very old photographs of the Maurer side of the family, and I'd be equally glad to share them with anyone interested.

Dear Mary,  I have many memories of George's extensive train set-up in the attic in Jersey City.  He was patient with the little girl who always wanted to see the trains run. 
 
I still remember being in awe at your lovely wedding.  

We have lost touch and I am sorry that we were not able to see you at any of the recent Brandes family reunions.  You and Jim are in our prayers and thoughts.  May you be well and know that we would love to have you visit us in Pennsylvania.   
Barbara and Bob Brown

Dear Mary,

I am deeply saddened to learn of the loss of George.  

Before I ever had the pleasure of meeting you and George, I followed your venture of building the steam launch WAHKEENA, through the articles published in Steamboating magazine. In the late 90‘s, my wife, daughter and I attended the “Great International Steamboat Flotilla” in Canada. It was there we met you and George.  You welcomed us aboard WAHKEENA and we spent an entire day steaming, learning and laughing, as you shared many stories, both about steam and other parts of your lives. The kindness and generosity you and George both shared with us will always be remembered. 

May knowing that I, as well as so many others share in your sorrow, help comfort you, your family and all those you love.

Dear Mary,
It was a very sad day when we heard of George's passing. He was an "Engineers Engineer" and a true friend. We will cherish the memories of our steamboat rides on the Connecticut River and our "Lunch Bunch" visits in Vermont and the Cape. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Renzo and Nancy Falcinelli, Conway, SC

I am a fellow Steamboater/Steam Hobbyist. I didnt know George personally but heard alot about him. He will be missed by all.
I am very sorry for your loss
Gene

Mary... We were very saddened to hear about George yesterday.  Our thoughts an prayers are with you, your family, and friends during this time of loss. 

Although the distance between CT and MI kept me from learning more from George's vast steam and model-building expertise, experience, and engineering, George was none the less able to share a great deal of knowlege with me through our phone calls, emails, the boat's construction, engine/boiler drawings, and the "Ships' Logs" of SL WAHKEENA, as he documented the entire process of trial and error - as the boat evolved. 

Rest assurred that George's engineering and skill will live on through one of his best live steam projects - Steam Launch WAHKEENA.  My only regret is that we didn't get a chance to all ride together in the launch after her restoration.

With our sincere sympathy,

Dear Mary,
 I am so sorry for your loss. George taught me to run trains at Connecticut Central RR. I only wish I had been able to see him more often. Now he is gone and the community is less for his passing.
Robbie MacDonald

I had the pleasure of working with George from 1994-1998, on the Connecticut Central Railroad. He was a true Railroader,and I learned a lot from him. I will sorely miss him.

Dear Mary,

I worked with George for SO many years at the Valley Railroad.  He was always a gentleman with a great sense of humor.  I only learned that George was ill when I saw the memo thru the railroad that George was home and under the care of Hospice.  His photograph still hangs in the conductors' room at the Valley Railroad.  He will always be a member of our commmunity; just an absent one.  God bless George.  (Bruce Edgerton, Deep River, CT)

George was the first man I met when I first approached the Valley Railroad years ago before the railroad opened. It was a pleasure working with him there in the many years that followed.  He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.  He is missed by all who knew him.

Dear Mary, Jim, Zack and Josh,
I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad I was able to meet him in Sept. with Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time.
Laurie Peterson

Jim & Zack, As much as we miss you being in the mountains we are glad you were able to go to Ct. and spend time with your Dad before he got so bad. I know you both will be a big comfort to your Mom. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Your Friends From D & G Exchange, Lonny, JoJo, Pat, Wendy

George was the first man I met when I first approached the Valley Railroad. He put me to work clearing tack because Opening Day was still way ahead of us. It was a pleasure working with him in the many years that followed. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Memories of our friendship and those days will linger with me forever.  Bert Rhodes

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Dear Mary, I was so sorry to learn of George's passing.  I worked for and with George and he was a great boss.  It was such a joy for my family when we all rode on Wahkeena on the CT River.  I always looked forward to your Christmas card which displayed a photo of your many trips.  May George rest in peace.

Dear Mrs. Reitze,
I am so sorry to hear about Mr. Reitze's passing.  I have always loved hearing stories about the railroad, the steamboat, your travels and your dogs from my dad and mom.  I will always think of Mr. Reitze as part of the "Lunch Bunch" and know my dad was blessed to have such a good friend.

I have known George for only a few years, serving with him on the safety committee at Valley Railroad.  George served with vigor and clarity while passing on to us his knowledge and understanding of our goals.  I miss him already.

So sorry to hear of George's passing. I had the privilege of working with George many times at the Valley Railroad. I am sure we will meet again some day. Our thoughts are with you all at this time.

Mary - Very sorry to hear about George.  We had many enjoyable years working on fuel cells.
     Vern Eklund
 rockford, Illiois

hello to you mary....so sorry of your loss...you are in my thoughts...hope we can reconnect and share stories...i have some surgery this week but will be with you in spirit...love lee

I had the pleasure of knowing George when we both were active at the Connecticut Trolley Museum.  He was a good friend and always a gentleman.  My sincere sympathy to his entire family.

We spent many an hour with George and Mary over the last 10 years and enjoyed every minute.  George was a very interesting and knowledgeable man and we will continue to miss him.  We loved steaming with him and watching his travel videos and just being with both George and Mary.

Mary & Family

Liz and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. We have the memories of George at the Valley RR and the Connecticut Central. It was always a joy to work with George; a true gentleman. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.

I had the pleasure of working with George off and on for many years at the Valley Railroad and Connecticut Central Railroad.  I also enjoyed George and Mary's hospitality at their home when they would share the experiences of their many world travel adventures via slides and videos.  
George's life certainly was a life well lived!

I did not know George well. That's my personal loss. The greater loss was George, first, to Mary then to the world where I met him, the world of steam. He rode in my boat several times and each time it was like going back 100 years to when steam was King. It was always a pleasure and enlightening to be around George. Steam on, George!!

OBITUARY

Mr. George H. Reitze

April 4, 1931 – October 9, 2010

Glastonbury Funeral Home

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