George Antony Friend, “Tony,” age 81, is survived by his sister, Lynn Elise Friend, his daughter Genevieve Christine Friend and is grandfather to Corina, Connor and Chloe, son Robert George Friend and daughter in law Stacey A. Friend.
George is also survived by his former wife, Lynn Friend, and his girlfriend, Merle LeBlanc.
George is son of the late Lionel “Don” Bernard Friend and Elise Genevieve Schlosser Friend and nephew to the late Louise Josephine Schlosser Smith.
George was very proud to have served in the U.S. Coast Guard, and he also was a proud Veteran. His favorite time in the Coast Guard was when he was stationed at the North Brother Island Lighthouse in the East River, NYC. George always had a passion for the water, in his teens he had one of the first Boston Whaler boats off the production line. He was very active in the Boy Scouts, Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Greenwich Yacht Club. George always enjoyed boating and spending a lot of time on Long Island Sound.
A proud moment was when he let his 8-year-old Granddaughter, Corina, drive a boat all by herself. It was debatable who had the bigger smile on their face, George or Corina. George loved and had many dogs throughout his life. He loved and cherished his current dog, Princey, who will now have a forever home with Robert.
In his later years, George suffered from Parkinson’s disease. For the last seven months, George lived in a care facility in a suburb of Cleveland, OH, five minutes from his son, Robert. Robert and Princey visited George almost daily and brought him his favorite foods: blooming onion, guacamole and chips, or just guacamole and a spoon. George loved the visits by Robert and always looked forward to the next visit.
George had an alternative sense of humor and decided that he would say goodbye to us in the wee hours on New Year’s Day 2025. He wanted the whole world to celebrate.
George will be laid to rest in a family plot in Kensico Cemetery, in Valhalla, NY.
In memory of George, and instead of flowers, the family is asking to please make a donation to your favorite animal shelter. We recommend Parma SPCA no-kill shelter (216) 351-7387 www.northeastohiospca.org
A celebration of his life will take place at the Greenwich Boat & Yacht Club at 9 Grass Island Road, Greenwich, CT 06830 on Saturday, Feb 22, 2025 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. Tel. (203) 622-9558