George Chelwick’s 95th Birthday is Marked by Thanksgiving Eve Car Parade

Nov 25 was George Chelwick’s birthday and he turned 95.

The event was marked by a car parade of longtime friends some veterans, led by Greenwich Police officers on motorcycles.

Nancy and George Chelwick outside their home at Swan Terrace as a car parade passed by, wishing George a happy 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
A birthday well-wisher had a poster that said “95 years young, America’s finest.” Photo: Leslie Yager

When George turned 18, after graduating Greenwich High School, he was inducted into the Army Air Force.

He had wanted to be a fighter pilot. He entered the service in March 1944. D-Day was June 1944. The 18-year-old boys in George’s class in the Army Air Force were told there wasn’t a need for pilots. Instead went through different tests to determine his placement and ended up being part of the Ground Control Approach, stationed in Manila in the Philippines.

Ground Control Approach, or GCA for short, was a service provided by air-traffic controllers where they guided aircraft to a safe landing, including in poor weather conditions, based on primary radar images.

Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey and his son James home from Northeastern. Nov 25, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager

George and his wife Nancy celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year. The couple have three sons.

George volunteered with the Boy Scouts for over 50 years. He was also a member of the RMA and president of the Byram Rotary.

But what many know George best for is his years volunteering to film Greenwich High School football games, which he did from 1970-2012, filming a total of about 500 games from Boston to Florida.

A couple dozen cars showed up on Wednesday to wish George a happy birthday.

One driver held up a simple poster that said it all with, “America’s Finest.”

The last two cars of the parade were Police Chief Jim Heavey and his son James, who is home from Northeastern University in Boston, where he is an international affairs major and part of ROTC.

Happy birthday, George!

George and Nancy Chelwick waving to friends in the birthday car parade for George’s 95th. Nov 5, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
A friend waves during the car parade for George Chelwick’s 95th birthday. Nov 25, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey and his son James home from Northeastern wish George Chelwick a happy birthday. Nov 25, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greenwich motorcycle police salute George Chelwick on his 95th birthday. Nov 25, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
Friends of the Chelwicks line up to wish George a happy 95th birthday. Nov 25, 2020 Photo: Leslie Yager
George and Nancy Chelwick delighted to see so many well wishers for George’s 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
George and Nancy Chelwick delighted to see so many well wishers for George’s 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
Wishing George Chelwick a happy 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
George and Nancy Chelwick delighted to see so many well wishers for George’s 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
George and Nancy Chelwick delighted to see so many well wishers for George’s 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
George and Nancy Chelwick delighted to see so many well wishers for George’s 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager
Neighbors of the Chelwicks gather for a photo to mark George’s 95th birthday. Photo: Leslie Yager