George Louis Kehoe, 78, passed peacefully into the arms of the Lord with his beloved daughters, Marybeth and Deborah, at his side on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009, at the Coronado Respite House in Phoenix, Ariz.

    Married in Pittsford, Vt., he leaves his wife of 59 years, Mary (Carrigan) Kehoe; his daughter, Deborah and husband, David Yergeau, of Swanton; his son, Daniel and wife, Kathleen, of Charlotte; his son, David and wife, Tina, of Burlington; his son, Douglas and partner, Donna, of Lincoln; his son, Sean and partner, Tonya, of Hinesburg; and his daughter, Marybeth and husband, Walter Worth, of Crown Point, N.Y.

    Born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on March 3, 1931, to parents Mona (Cross) Bissette and Louis Wasner, George was raised from infancy by his aunt Jessica and husband James and their two sons, Martin and Clayton Kehoe of Brooklyn, N.Y.

    After his education in Brooklyn, George began what became his lifelong passion as a mariner. He became a Merchant Marine at age 18, and joined his brothers, Martin and Clayton in the family tugboat business, Kehoe Marine.

    George was a Master Mariner, and earned many Master Class Marine licenses for all inland waterways for unlimited tonnage throughout his long career. He captained many vessels on the inland waterways of Vermont and New York including Lake Champlain, the Hudson River and New York Harbor.

    He was later employed by Mobil-Exxon as a Ship’s Captain for many years until his retirement in 1990.

    George made many close friends in Apache Junction, Ariz., where he has spent his winters for the past 22 years. A memorial service was held in his honor on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, at the Community Center of Sunrise Park, where he lived. Over 50 of his friends were in attendance, and Mass was celebrated by Father Penti.

    George spent many years enjoying his summer residence in Crown Point, N.Y., as well as several summers at his daughter and son-in-law’s summer home in St. Albans Bay where he made many friends.

    George’s passion for the water was only matched by his passion for life, and love for his family. Those who knew George will remember him for his wisdom, his generosity, and his kindness. George was always quick to smile, and to make others smile.

    George loved spending time with his children, and their families. George’s grandchildren remember how special he made each of them feel, and how he was always very proud of each of their accomplishments.

    George leaves many loving grandchildren: Todd, Sarah, Rachael, Patrick, Carrigan, Farin, Josh, Christine, Nicholas, Livia, Hunter, Brittany, Ashley, Walter II, Keegan, Ryan and Grace.

    Services are being handled by Ready Funeral Home. There will be visiting hours held Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Rd., Burlington. A Celebratory High Mass will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Charlotte, Vt. A gathering of friends and family will be held at St. John’s Club, Lakeside in Burlington following the Mass until 4 p.m.