George H. "Lefty" Vereault

Published in the Bangor Daily News on 7/7/2008.

HOLDEN - George H. "Grampy" Vereault, 79, husband of the late Amanda (Hafford) Vere-ault, passed away July 5, 2008, at home after a brief, but courageous battle with cancer. He was born July 1, 1929, in Brewer, the son of Victor and Villa (Gray) Vereault. George graduated from Brewer High School.

He played basketball, baseball and football, where baseball became his legend. Baseball took him to Boston, where he pitched in the Minor Leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics, Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves and Boston Red Sox. George had a great left arm on him and this is where he earned the nickname "Lefty."

In 1953 George's career in baseball ended when he was drafted into the U.S. Army to serve in the Korean War. Upon returning home he was employed by the Bangor Post Office, as a letter carrier for 30 years and met many friends. After retiring he spent many summers at his camp on Schoodic Lake and gardening at his home in Holden.

His great love was his great-grandchildren, where he spent numerous hours shifting from hockey to basketball, to softball to baseball, sometimes all in one day, but always with a proud smile on his face.

The greatest accomplishment George achieved was committing himself to doting, loving and caring for his wife for four years, during her extended illness. He was a dedicated husband. George, who was known as "Grampy" to all that knew him, will be greatly and sadly missed throughout the years to come.

He is survived by his daughter and wonderful son-in-law, Sue and Dennis McCurdy; two grandchildren, Dennis "Denny" McCurdy, and Michelle and her husband, David Green, all of Brewer; four great-grandchild-ren, Brittany and Mackenzie McCurdy, and Cassy and Cameron Green; two brothers, Donnie Vereault of Old Town and Charlie Vereault and his wife, Patsy, of Orland; one sister, Marjorie Lacadie of Milford; several nieces and nephews that he adored; special friends, Frank Sargeant, Tex Strang, his morning crew at Brewer McDonalds and his Brewer bowling buddies. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by three sisters, Margaret Vere-ault, Dorothy Lavoie and Cecile MacDonald.

Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, at Brookings-Smith, Clark-Piper Chapel, 55 South Main St., Brewer, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, with the Rev. Richard M. Dickinson, chaplain, Maine Air National Guard, officiating. Interment with military honors will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Brewer, immediately after the service.

The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at Brookings-Smith Family Rooms, 55 South Main St., Brewer, after the interment.

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.