George W. Hendrickson, Jr.

George W. Hendrickson, Jr., age 83, of Rome, passed away peacefully at home on July 4, 2025, with his loving family at his side.

George (also known as “Bill”) was born in Hagerstown, MD on December 21, 1941, to the late George Sr. and Elizabeth Moore Hendrickson, and graduated from Northeastern High School in 1959. Even as a child, he had an aptitude for science, math and mechanics, which led him to enlist in the U.S. Air Force at age 18. He served in the Vietnam War and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1987 with over 28 years of military service. After retirement, he worked as a systems engineer for Radio Shack. He also taught math at Rome Catholic High and applied sciences at BOCES in Rome. He was a great mentor to those under his command, as well as the students he taught.

On August 2, 1963, George was united in marriage to the former Mary Jane Montalbano in Rome. To say he worshipped the ground she walked upon would be an understatement. The couple embarked upon the adventure of a lifetime as they moved from posting to posting all over the country and the world, raising their children Celeste and George in the Air Force community. George and Mary Jane celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary several months prior to her passing on October 31, 2023.

George was truly a jack of all trades, with any number of projects in progress at any given time. He loved to “tinker,” as he called it, and could tear down and rebuild any contraption known to man. He enjoyed woodworking, building model planes and trains, keeping fish tanks, and building his own computers. He was a techno wizard, always keeping up with the latest gadgets. Even during his recent illness, he amazed hospital staff by playing video games and checking his “cat cams” on his iPad from his hospital bed. He was an avid reader, especially of sci-fi and fantasy novels.

Most of all, George was a kind, humble man with a big heart. Along with his beloved Mary Jane, he opened his home to family, friends, and anyone they happened to bring along for large holiday gatherings. Their home was a place of welcome and unconditional love, where anyone who crossed the threshold was family. George and Mary Jane were supporters of Thea Bowman House and other local charities. They loved animals, adopting many rescue dogs and cats over the course of their lives together.

George is survived by his son, George (Cindy) Hendrickson III of Westmoreland; his sisters, Sharon (Curvin) Bostic of Starview, PA, and Donna (Donald) Gladfelter of Mt. Wolfe, PA; his brother Richard (Wanda) Hendrickson of York, PA; his sister-in-law, Gayle Hendrickson of Tampa, FL; his beloved brothers and sisters in law, and nieces and nephews, of the Hendrickson and Montalbano families; his cat Chloe; outdoor cats Sammy, Callie, Freddy, Eddie and JR; and grand-pups Trapper and Haze. He was predeceased by his daughter, Celeste Wurz; sister, Phyllis Adams; brother Paul Hendrickson; cats Bella and Dilly; and grand-pup Strider.

George's funeral will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 11 AM, at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street, with a Celebration of Life to follow. August 2, 2025, would also have been George and Mary Jane’s 62nd anniversary.

Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home from 10 to 11 Am prior to the funeral.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Thea Bowman House or the Rome Humane Society.

Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com .