George Benjamin Dewey

George Benjamin Dewey, 86, of 1005 First St., Meadville, died Thursday, May 30, 2003 at Meadville Medical Center.

He was born May 7, 1917 at Roanoke, VA, a son of Lyman Henry and Margaret Adam Dewey.  He married Susan Scott of Raleigh, NC on December 9, 1943 and she survives.

He was retired Employee Relations Manager with the Meadville plant of the former Avtex Fibers Corporation.  He started his employment with the former American Viscose Corp. at Nitro, WV in 1946 and was transferred to the Meadville Plant in 1952.

He graduated from Pulaski, Virginia High School and from North Carolina State University with a B.S. degree in Textile Management.

During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy, primarily in the Pacific Arena.  Following active duty he remained in the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired in 1977 with the rank of Commander.

Concerned about handicapped citizens, he served as board member and president of the Crawford County Easter Seal Society, board member of Camp-Lend-A-Hand, board member of the Association of Retarded Citizens of Crawford County, and was appointed by former Governor Shafer to the Advisory Board of Polk State School and Hospital.  He was one of the founders of Vallonia Industries and long time board member.  He served as a member of the Advisory Board to Children and Youth Services.  He was awarded the Brace for an Ace award by the Pennsylvania Easter Seal Society.

He was one of the founders and incorporators of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship Fund and a long time member of the local board of directors of the N.A.A.C.P.  He served as a member of the board of directors of the Northwest Pennsylvania Heart Association and the board of directors of Wesbury United Methodist Community.

He was one of the founders and incorporators of the United Housing Corporation and long time member of the board of directors of Fairview/Fairmont Housing Corporation.  He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church and had served on committees of the Lake Erie Presbytery.

He was a member of the Meadville Advisory Board of Northwest Savings Bank, a member of the Board of Incorporators of the Meadville Medical Center, and an incorporator of Greendale Cemetery Association.  He was a member of the Meadville Rotary Club, The Country Club, Roundtable, Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter of the Retired Officer’s Association, and Post 2006, Veteran of Foreign Wars.

Survivors, in addition to his wife of 59 years, include a daughter, Isabel Seavey and her husband Rick of Grosse Pointe, Mich.; four sons, George B. Dewey, Jr.; Scott M. Dewey; L. Henry Dewey and his wife Deborah; and William M. Dewey, all of Meadville; and six grandchildren, Sinclair Adam Dewey, Katherine Seavey; Emily Dewey; Alexander Dewey; Whitney Dewey; and Ryan Dewey.  He was preceded in death by two brothers, Lyman H. Dewey, Jr. and Sinclair A. Dewey.

There are no calling hours.

Interment will be in Greendale Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville.

The family suggests memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 890 Liberty St., Meadville, PA 16335 or Wesbury United Methodist Community, 31 N. Park Ave., Meadville, PA 16335.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville.