George, we can't believe it has already been five years since you left us. We miss you, good friend. but know you are in a better place with The Lord. Rest in Peace! 
                                                                Joan & Larry Anderer

Thanks George. You taught me more than anyone on how to be a trader (not a cheese eater.) We also had much fun. You are missed!

My sympathies to the Wunsch family on your loss.  Over forty years ago, George gave me (a woman) a rare opportunity to join his trading desk. He was well ahead of his time. I am forever thankful for his confidence and support. He became a mentor and friend. I am terribly saddened to hear of his passing.  

I learned a lot from George. Obviously I learned much about trading, (and still trade my own account.) More importantly I learned about how to conduct one's self. George mentored many young traders. Those traders are older now and may appreciate this recollection. I had just got my promotion to the trading desk (a very big deal). There was a large retail seller on Cantor, selling to myself at Bache, while I was then crossing those bonds with a buyer at RMJ, working for a half tick. George walked over and asked what was I doing. I told him, he said to hang up, I didn't, and I stated "but George...". He aggressively grabbed the phones from me, and hung them up. (If you worked for George, you can picture this. ). I pleaded,  "George I may not have "paired off" everything. He replied, his mouth in my face, "I don't care!!!. Marc you listen to me!!!  A good trader is one who buys low and sells high!!!  A cheese eater crosses trades for tics. You MAY become a good trader, but I WON'T ALLOW YOU TO BE A CHEESE EATER!!"  I have come back to that moment so many times in my life. That moment taught me how to keep the highest standard. I am so proud to have has George Wunsch a one of my few mentors. Thank you George, so very much.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Wunsch family at this difficult time.  We met while working for George in the 1980s and have been married now for over 30 years.  George was bigger than life and he built an incredible business with a rogues gallery of New York personalities.  He was incredibly smart and despite his tough exterior a genuinely empathetic guy.  We treasure our memories of George and the rest of the Wunsch family.  You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.

The Leonard family is very saddened by the news. George Sr and George Jr were great friends of my father Peter Leonard. My father offered George Jr a job when he started in the business. George declined but he never forgot that. George gave my brother in law and me our 1st jobs on Wall Street at Pru-Bache. George was also great friend and business associate with my brother Mike and sister Kathleen. I interviewed with George x-mas 1984. I sat in his office and the first thing he said was "so who are you??"  Giving it to me from the get go. After 9 months on the "Liaison Desk", George moved me to the product of future..the Mortgaged Backed securities desk, under Steve Hirsch and Kenny Cohen. He not only gave me a job but laid ground for what is now a 33yr career. In Terry Cantwell's remembrance above, that story of getting Short the market. George directed the desk to get Short. At the end of the day he checked the desk positions. Pete Hanson & Scott Simon had a small Short. Jose Lopez, the Odd Lot trader sitting in for Jimmy Dunne, was Short 50mm Long Bonds. A BIG trade back then. Pete, Scott and George all looked at each other and burst out laughing. (George let it ride!)  Thanks to you George for the opportunity you gave me and mentorship years after you hired me. George Wunsch is and will always be held in the highest regard with the Leonard family.  My sincere condolences to the Wunsch family.    With deep appreciation and gratitude, Peter Leonard

I was very saddened to hear of George's passing.  I am very sorry for your loss and angry at myself for not staying in touch with someone who was a good friend and a great boss.  
The Cantwell family has a long association with the Wunsch's.  George's father and my father were good friends during their years on Wall Street.  George worked for my brother, Gary at the BofA and Bache.  I joined Bache in 1976 when George was just organizing an attempt to become a primary dealer.I work for George at Bache for 10 years.  There are so many memories at a time when the Gov't Bond business was exploding with new dealers.  It was the go-go eighties and the gambling hall was open.  
The memories come back as I write this note. 
 It was at Bache that I met Steve Hirsch.  Steve and George sat in the back row of the trading desk and all day long I could hear the banter going back and forth.  It was most intense during hockey season and especially during the Islanders four year run as Stanley Cup Champions.  Steve was an avid Ranger Fan and George loved the Islanders.  It was a wonder any work was done.
I also remember one day when Harry Jacobs, President of Bache stopped by the desk.  He spoke to George and told him he did not like the market  and for us to not take any positions.  After he left George shared the info with the traders.  Several of us expressed frustration being told not to trade.  About 10 minutes later George announced that he had taken a position with the famous words "We're not going to miss anything"  We didn't  The next day the market plunged.  
Our relationship was more than just business.  George once took myself and my brother sailing.  We set out on the Great South Bay in a boat that had to be 100 years old.  We spent the whole day trying to avoid running aground.
I am running out of space.
Please forgive me for not attending the services as we have moved to Delaware.
May God watch over George and take him into His arms. 

I am so sorry for your loss.  George and my dad Steven Hirsch were best friends.  My dad passed away when he was in his early 40’s in the mid eighties.  I was 11.   George made sure my mom and I were better than ok after our loss and we remained extremely close.  George was my dad’s boss and my dad ran a trading desk. George always thought of my dad and always paid his respects up until the end.  George saw me grow, helped me find a job when no one else would that worked with them, met me for dinner when I got older and took me on boat rides with my dad when I was child.  Moving to Long Island from NYC, we frequently met for dinner at El Parral in Syosset.  He was an amazing man and I am just so sorry I don’t have more time with him.  One day I will see him again, I truly believe it.  A few years back, he gave me a sweater that belonged to my dad that he held onto since the mid 1980s.  That is the bond that never broke and I was lucky enough to have had George in my life, when time was tough with our loss and was very close with my step dad Harold who is my second dad.  George was like my third dad.  It is hitting me now hard that he is no longer with us, but I know he and my dad are looking down on my mom and I.    On behalf of my family I send my sincere condolences and sympathies.  I love you George Wunsch and I know you knew how much you meant to mom and I.



George was a very warm and passionate person.  He loved to talk to me, my Father, and my Brothers about movies, sports, and the latest current events.  He was an avid fan of the New York Mets and New York Jets.
George and I would argue about who was the better team that year, especially when the Phillies were playing his beloved Mets.  George had such a love for life.  He loved to golf, watch sports, and go to the movies.  George loved good food, great music, and interesting conversation.  George was a very kind and generous person who always treated my wife and children and our entire family with kindness and love.  George gave everything he had as a person to all of his family, friends and neighbors. He lived life to the fullest and he touched the lives of so many of us who were lucky enough to call George a friend.  May all of us be so lucky to have lived such a full life and to have left such a rich and lasting legacy.  Rest in Peace George.  You will surely be missed by us all.  Mr. and Mrs. John J. Farley and Family, (Philadelphia, Pa.)  

OBITUARY

George C. Wunsch

November 4, 1946 – December 15, 2018

Beney Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services