George Carl Dudkiewicz

He was born in Kidderminster, England on February 17, 1948 son of Adam S. Dudkiewicz and Rozalia Strutynska-Dudkiewicz who had met in England while serving in the Polish army. His father, Adam S. Dudkiewicz spent the war years as a member of the Polish partisans who resisted both the Nazi and Russian invasions of Poland. His mother was a victim of the Nazis and worked as a slave laborer during the war years.

As a child, George, his parents and a sister immigrated to the United States. He grew up in Trenton, New Jersey, graduating from Trenton Catholic High School. He received a BA from Alliance College and a Masters degree in English from Trenton State College now known as the College of New Jersey.

George was dedicated to helping others. He spent most of his career as an educator in the correctional systems of New Jersey, New York and Florida before retiring as a child welfare caseworker in 2013. He was also an entrepreneur, working for several years in the video industry, owning and operating two video stores in Brooklyn, New York.

He had a lifelong passion for the water, words, and conversation. When he wasn’t swimming in or visiting the ocean he could be found swimming in his pool. He was also a talented poet and writer who soothed his wife, family and grandchildren with his calm and sonorous voice.

George is survived by Jackie Hickman Duke, his loving wife of 17 years, his son George Duke, daughter-in-law Marlena Blake Duke and grandchildren Sophia and Ryan Duke of Hoboken, New Jersey, stepdaughter Jennifer Crozier (Michael), stepson Sean Fullwood and step grandchildren Eric, Nicholas and Ryan Jack Crozier and Christopher and Emily Fullwood of Palm Springs, Florida.

George was the loving brother of sister Lillian Clayman and her husband Roger of Port Jefferson, NY, sister Wanda Forsthoffer of Henderson, Nevada and brother Adam Dudkiewicz of New Britain, CT. He was also the much admired uncle of niece Rebecca Clayman-Lingenfelter and husband Michael Lingenfelter and nephew David Clayman and his wife Erin Poor.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2015 from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, followed by a memorial service at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 754 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the TrustBridge Hospice of Palm Beach County.