George McCullough Anderson III, accomplished businessman
George McCullough Anderson III, 78, of Bethel and Fort Myers, Fla., passed away suddenly Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Highlands Ranch, Colo.
George was born Oct. 16, 1935, in Baltimore, Md. He attended Calvert School in Baltimore, as did his mother, Sophie McGaw Miller Anderson, and his three children. George went on to attend Gilman School and The Lawrenceville School, where he was the valedictorian of his graduating class in 1954.
George graduated from Yale University in 1958 and Wharton School of Business in 1960, after which he served in the Maryland and Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He began work at Mellon Bank as a management trainee in late 1960, and was married to Joanna Litynski Anderson, the mother of his three children, in November 1960.
George’s career in the financial industry spanned many decades, and included work at Mellon Bank and Equitable Trust Bank as well as a founding director and first president of Georgetown National Bank in Delaware. George was active in the Urban League in Baltimore, and was asked to teach a business and finance class at Morgan State College (now Morgan University). He was very proud of the popularity of his class with his students, who hadn't had the educational advantages that George had, but who were dedicated to improving their lives through education.
He and his wife Peggy (whom he married in 1999) became proud residents of Bethel, population 188, where George owned an equipment dealership and a chicken farm. They also owned and operated Excel Leasing Corporation until 2006. George was a past president of the Bethel Historical Society and served on the Bethel Town Council and the Bethel Planning and Zoning Commission. He was a dedicated Rotarian since 1978 and served as a Rotary district treasurer, assistant district governor, and as centennial district governor in 2004-05. He was also actively involved in the formation of the Can Do Playground at Milford, and served on the advisory board of Easter Seals.
George was known for his intelligence and his wry sense of humor. He was also known for throwing a great party, whether in the house on Wendover Road in Baltimore, across the street from the one he grew up in, or in Bethel with Peggy. He was a charismatic person who made everyone feel welcome.
George is survived by his beloved wife, Peggy (Swiech) Anderson; his loving children Kristina Anderson (David Cook), Susan Anderson Rogers (Duncan), and George M. Anderson IV (Bridget Rodriguez); and stepchildren Annie Rockenbach Kinney (Randy); James Rockenbach (Barbara), and Joseph Rockenbach (Kristen); as well as grandchildren Malcolm, Halina, Amelia, Elizabeth, Cozette, Cora and Callie. George was preceded in death by his brother Alden (Libby); and his parents, George McCullough Anderson Jr. and Sophie Miller Anderson. He also leaves his former wife and friend, Joanna (Litynski) Anderson; and his niece and nephews, Emma Anderson Schmell (Michael), Alden Anderson (Emily), Slater Anderson (Anne), and Elliot (Amy), along with extended family, whose kinship and friendship meant a great deal to him.
Interment is private. A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday June 8; family and friends will be notified. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of George Anderson to Dr. Dorsey’s Care Anywhere for Parkinson’s Disease, 265 Crittenden Blvd., Suite B240, Rochester, NY 14642; checks payable to University of Rochester are welcome.
