Born in Concord, Massachusetts, on November 1, 1947, he was the son of the late Earl and Beatrice Harrison Sparks Jr. of East Matunuck, Rhode Island.
George graduated from Tufts University in 1970 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, and later earned his M.B.A from the University of Connecticut.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in the summer of 1970, and subsequently received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Connecticut Army National Guard three years later. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1981 as a first lieutenant, and remained a proud patriot throughout the rest of his life.
From December 1970 until his retirement as CEO in March 2003, George worked for the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), a public utilities company serving Hartford and surrounding towns in Connecticut. From his humble beginnings in the company’s engineering training program, he ascended through positions of greater responsibility over the course of his 33-year career. His service to the MDC culminated with his appointment to the chief executive role during a challenging leadership transition period, where he successfully navigated the path and paved the way for the future success of the organization. His career serves as a shining example of the loyalty and selfless service that George viewed as paramount to all aspects of his life.
George is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, JoAnn. In August of 1971, George married JoAnn Papagno in a joyful ceremony at the Martha Mary Chapel in Sudbury, Massachusetts. Shortly after, they moved to Connecticut and settled down in the small town of Marlborough, where they lived for 18 years before retiring together in Florida. George is the beloved father of one son, Andrew. He was the proud “Papa” of one grandson, Grant, and one granddaughter, Winter.
He is also survived by his five siblings: Earl C. Sparks III (Janet), Wilmington, NC, Carolyn S. Kokalis, Fort Myers, Shirley S. Kersey, Palm Coast, Ralph S. Sparks, Green Hill, RI, and Dorothy S. Blake (Bruce) of Bedford, MA.
George will be remembered as an avid golfer and voracious reader, someone who loved to travel the world with JoAnn at his side, and a loyal friend. He remained dedicated to fitness his entire life, from Varsity Track in college, through the successful completion of multiple Boston Marathons, to an active fitness regimen and lifestyle in his later years. In spite of his busy career, George always found time to coach little league, help with homework, and drive his son to sports practice and 6am workouts in high school. He would describe himself as “tough but fair”, yet noticeably softened around his grandchildren. His untimely departure from this world has left a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled, but we are all unquestionably better people for the time that we were fortunate enough to spend with him.
There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate the life of George Harrison Sparks on Sunday, 28 April, at the Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach, FL 32136. Please arrive for a gathering of family and friends at 11am, followed by the service at noon.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in George’s memory may be made to the Navy SEAL Foundation at https://www.navysealfoundation.org/donate/
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