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George W. Packish
Falmouth, Massachusetts
October 27, 1932 - July 5, 2025
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George W. Packish Obituary
George W. Packish of West Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family following a long illness. He was 92 years old.
George was born on October 27th, 1932, in Oak Bluffs to Annie Amaral and George F. Packish.
He grew up on Martha’s Vineyard and was one of 11 children. He married the love of his life, Janet Steere in 1953 at Sacred Heart Church in Oak Bluffs.
George worked as a dental assistant for Doc Amaral and as a painter for his father.
He was drafted into the Army in June of 1953 and was stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky where he was a Dental Technician until 1955. He remained in the Army Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1961.
In the early 1960’s, George and Janet moved from the Vineyard to Falmouth.
George had 44 years of fire service. He began as a volunteer firefighter on Martha’s Vineyard then worked as a firefighter for the Falmouth Fire Department retiring in 1997 as the Falmouth Fire Chief.
George was a 1981 graduate of Cape Cod Community College where he studied fire science and a 1983 graduate of the National Fire Academy graduating as an executive fire officer. He was also a certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.
George was a member of the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club. He was an avid hunter raising his own hunting dogs. He looked forward to hunting trips with his friends.
He and Janet enjoyed traveling. Following George’s retirement, they traveled with their camper to every state in the U.S. except for Alaska and Hawaii.
Each winter, they would travel with their camper to Florida visiting with friends along the way. They spent the winters in their favorite RV park in Bonita Springs and would have many stories to tell about their activities and bean bag events.
Spring, summers and fall were spent in their West Falmouth home. Time would be spent fishing, shell fishing and having clam boils. They also enjoyed spending time in their cabin in Maine.
In 2022 George and Janet decided to permanently move to Florida. They sold their home on Brickkiln Road and Falmouth and moved to Bonita Springs. Following Janet’s untimely passing in April of 2023, George returned to Falmouth and stayed with family before moving into his new apartment at Heritage at Falmouth. While there he enjoyed trying to beat the odds at bingo. He would take the bus to St. Anthony’s to attend Sunday Masses. He enjoyed visits and outings with friends and family.
George is survived by his sisters, Mardell Francis of Vineyard Haven, and Emily Frank of Edgartown, as well as many nieces and nephews.
George was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Janet Steere Packish.
He was also predeceased by his brothers Robert F. Packish “Bobby” of Falmouth, Richard F. Packish “Dickey” and Clement J. Packish “Clemmy” both of Martha’s Vineyard as well as his sisters Theresa M. Baptiste of Martha’s Vineyard, Grace A. Rogers of Falmouth, Elizabeth A. Blanchard “Betty” of Falmouth, Marjorie M. Denningham “Margie” of Falmouth and Bernice Packish of Martha’s Vineyard.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 16th from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 475 Main Street, Falmouth. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. with Burial to follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, Tunnels to Towers or another charity of your choice.
George W. Packish of West Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family following a long illness. He was 92 years old.
George was born on October 27th, 1932, in Oak Bluffs to Annie Amaral and George F. Packish.
He grew up on Martha’s Vineyard and was one of 11 children. He married the love of his life, Janet Steere in 1953 at Sacred Heart Church in Oak Bluffs.
George worked as a dental assistant for Doc Amaral and as a painter for his father.
He was drafted into the Army in June of 1953 and was stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky where he was a Dental Technician until 1955. He remained in the Army Reserves until his honorable discharge in 1961.
In the early 1960’s, George and Janet moved from the Vineyard to Falmouth.
George had 44 years of fire service. He began as a volunteer firefighter on Martha’s Vineyard then worked as a firefighter for the Falmouth Fire Department retiring in 1997 as the Falmouth Fire Chief.
George was a 1981 graduate of Cape Cod Community College where he studied fire science and a 1983 graduate of the National Fire Academy graduating as an executive fire officer. He was also a certified Fire and Explosion Investigator.
George was a member of the Falmouth Rod and Gun Club. He was an avid hunter raising his own hunting dogs. He looked forward to hunting trips with his friends.
He and Janet enjoyed traveling. Following George’s retirement, they traveled with their camper to every state in the U.S. except for Alaska and Hawaii.
Each winter, they would travel with their camper to Florida visiting with friends along the way. They spent the winters in their favorite RV park in Bonita Springs and would have many stories to tell about their activities and bean bag events.
Spring, summers and fall were spent in their West Falmouth home. Time would be spent fishing, shell fishing and having clam boils. They also enjoyed spending time in their cabin in Maine.
In 2022 George and Janet decided to permanently move to Florida. They sold their home on Brickkiln Road and Falmouth and moved to Bonita Springs. Following Janet’s untimely passing in April of 2023, George returned to Falmouth and stayed with family before moving into his new apartment at Heritage at Falmouth. While there he enjoyed trying to beat the odds at bingo. He would take the bus to St. Anthony’s to attend Sunday Masses. He enjoyed visits and outings with friends and family.
George is survived by his sisters, Mardell Francis of Vineyard Haven, and Emily Frank of Edgartown, as well as many nieces and nephews.
George was predeceased by his loving wife of 70 years, Janet Steere Packish.
He was also predeceased by his brothers Robert F. Packish “Bobby” of Falmouth, Richard F. Packish “Dickey” and Clement J. Packish “Clemmy” both of Martha’s Vineyard as well as his sisters Theresa M. Baptiste of Martha’s Vineyard, Grace A. Rogers of Falmouth, Elizabeth A. Blanchard “Betty” of Falmouth, Marjorie M. Denningham “Margie” of Falmouth and Bernice Packish of Martha’s Vineyard.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 16th from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at Chapman Funerals & Cremations, 475 Main Street, Falmouth. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12 p.m. with Burial to follow at Massachusetts National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors, Tunnels to Towers or another charity of your choice.