George Paul Cummings was the son of Joseph Kaminchaitis and Katrina Vaitkunas Kaminchaitis. He was among some in the family who changed their name from Kaminchaitis to Cummings.
George was born April 16, 1912 in Scranton, PA. He was employed in Newton Township, PA, operating bait fish, nursery, gardening and lumber businesses.
He also served during World War II and was initially stationed in Ft. Sheridan, Ill. In 1943, he was sent to Massachusetts. In Apri l 1943, sent to Iran then to Algiers staging area (according to obit). A ccording to discharge papers, he was sent to Naples-Foggia, Sicily, Rom e-Arne, Rhineland and Central Europe.
He also operated an anti-aircraft gun at some point and as a unit foreman, he assisted in the s upervision of the construction of bridges and roads.
According to letters written by Kitty West with information provided by George, he also was stationed in Algeria and Corsica. While in Oran, Algeria, he suffered an internal infection of the digestive system - dis charging pus and affecting the large intestine. He was treated at a camp hospital with an opiate.
He suffered an injury after riding in the back of an army truck on top o f a load of 40-50 foot trees on a paved road outside of Corsica. A low- hanging branch caught him on the side of the head and swept him along t he length of the trees in the truck's bed until he fell off the truck. H e landed on his right side and was knocked unconscious. He had bruised a nd cut his head and injured his right hip. He woke up at a doctor's off ice in Corsica and was later transferred to the army camp. The hip inju ry plagued him all his life.
In 1945, George contracted malaria and they sent him to a hospital in M arseille, France, where he spent three days. Then he returned to the ca mp hospital to finish recuperating. For about a year after he was discharged, he received $11 a month.
He left the military with the rank of corporal. George was awarded the Good Conduct Meda l (personal citation), the European-African-Middle Eastern Service MedalFive Bronze Stars (unit citation).
His younger sister, Catherine "Kitty" West wrote this in his memory:
My Memories of George Cummings and our Family
Our Mom and Dad were mostly Lithuanian-speaking immigrants when they ca me to this land of opportunity and freedom. Mom's first husband died -- s he came to America on the Furnessia from Scotland's shores -- with two c hildren, Polly and Andrew -- and her sister, Veronica -- in May 1909. A nother sister, Agatha, (Agnes), already lived here -- and she played "m atchmaker" -- Joseph Kaminchaitis and Katrina were married.
George was the first child of this union, born April 16, 1912 in Scrant on, PA. Mom had a corner store on Price Street to tend -- and Pop worke d in the mines nearby. With a smile of remembrance, Mom would tell us t hat George really liked bananas and often told her, "Iggie nenie banana !"
By the time I came along in 1921, our family included Anna, Joseph, Joh n and Leonard! We now lived in the middle of the block at 2117 Price St reet, where I was born. Mom told me I climbed out the upstairs bedroom w indow onto the porch roof. She spied me and tried to keep my attention w hile George scurried up the stairs and rescued me! From then on he was m y protector.
Next move was directly across the street at 2116 Price street (Note fro m Sandra: according to the 1920 Census, the family was living at 2116 P rice Street, before Kitty was born). Under Mom's direction the house an d two lots turned into a showplace of flowers and stone walks and a bri dge over a walled run-off creek. George worked diligently and willingly , kneading bread, churning butter, counseling the young ones, inspiring t he older ones to help with the chores. He soon became my "big, strong b rother."
George got his driver's license and an old truck that needed repairs qu ite a lot! Nevertheless it was our means of transportation to Dallas, P A to visit Aunt Aggie and her brood -- or perhaps to vacation there; th ere were fishing trips to Tunkhannock creek; he hauled coal or wood or r ocks for the paths; we picked and sold blueberries for 10 cents a quart - - and flower plants from the garden -- house to house -- because it was d epression time -- and we did what we could -- survived -- had fun -- an d stuck together. At least until it was time to make our own way.
Bill and I were married in 1941 and George came to live with us in Niag ara Falls in 1942 until he was inducted in the Army in '42. He worked i n the Carborundum Company while there. Johnny and Leonard served in the N avy. They sent money home -- and the Price Street home was sold and soo n the Cummings' Pond homestead was a reality. Leonard and Johnny came b ack and worked and lived in Schenectady, NY and married. George came b ack in 1945 and took up where he left off -- working to make Cummings' P ond a better place. Bill and I had come back here to live -- with Littl e Kit. We lived in the homestead long enough to put partitions and stai rs in -- and have Mom and Dad come to live here and were to fix up thei r little house. Lumber was frozen -- we couldn't build. Peggy was born i n 1944 -- Mom (Katrina) was allergic to powders and smells -- so we mov ed to the city for a couple of years until the lumber ban was lifted an d we could start building again. When George came back there was room f or him and Polly and us. Joe and Ann (Cummings) had their own home all t his time so it started to look like a little community. They had JoAnn, M aryAnn and Robert -- and we added Billy and Dave.
George and Polly started a nursery in earnest. Bill had sent some seedl ings up for Johnny while he was still in the Civilian Conservation Corp s -- these had been planted out on the hill. They sent for more seedlin gs, blueberry and strawberry plants -- and eventually sold them when re ady.
We dug a small pond first -- and used to come up from the city to visit M om and Dad and Ann and Joe -- and we would swim in the pond. I had a bi rthday party on the banks of the pond. Bill hitch-hiked in from the CCC t o meet me and surprise Johnny. A wonderful memory!
After the big pond was dug out and held water, we really enjoyed it (gr andchildren, too). Our kids learned to swim there. George started a bai tfish business and the fishing was within walking distance. George also w orked at the stone quarry for a time. He also worked as a roofer and a g ardener for three or four families. They told me they wished everybody c ould be as trustworthy and dependable as George -- and missed him when h e could no longer work for them.
In the nineties, it became increasingly hard for George to get around - - first one cane, then two - then a handcart with swivel wheels which h e put together himself. He held onto it for support and pushed and used i t to transport instead of carry and it kept him exercising. Next came t he battery powered scooter Bob brought for him to use. It got him to An n's Coffee Shop almost every morning for coffee and conversation. He pa ssed a lot of time doing crossword puzzles in the newspapers; then I st arted supplying him with puzzle books. He usually waited until 5 o'cloc k news to watch TV. He also "motored" down to our house every Sunday at 1 2:30 pm for dinner -- and joined us whenever any of the families came t o visit.
George had been at Allied Skilled Nursing Facility from April 4, 2000 - - after a very bad fall. That's a long time to sit and think and "feel" a nd remember "what used to be." I don't know if he ever regretted that h e didn't marry -- he did like a couple girls -- but never found the rig ht one. Helen, a former neighbor on Price Street, came to visit us last y ear. She said, "You know, I once had a crush on George!" - but she marr ied someone else. He told us some of the "girls" at Allied singled him o ut -- I think he was kidding - but they did crown him King of the last V alentine's Day celebration.
I often felt badly because I couldn't get him home more often. It seems t hat George hung on to see Leonard and Rosalie once again. They came Jul y 10 - George knew them and Len knew him -- Len has Alzheimer's -- and m ay soon forget, I hope not! They left on the 16th and George was taken t o Mercy Hospital on the 17th and didn't know we were there. He passed a way peacefully on July 18th. His differences will be forgotten, but he' ll be remembered with our love and prayers. God bless and keep him!
To me he will always be my BIG brother!
George was born April 16, 1912 in Scranton, PA. He was employed in Newton Township, PA, operating bait fish, nursery, gardening and lumber businesses.
He also served during World War II and was initially stationed in Ft. Sheridan, Ill. In 1943, he was sent to Massachusetts. In Apri l 1943, sent to Iran then to Algiers staging area (according to obit). A ccording to discharge papers, he was sent to Naples-Foggia, Sicily, Rom e-Arne, Rhineland and Central Europe.
He also operated an anti-aircraft gun at some point and as a unit foreman, he assisted in the s upervision of the construction of bridges and roads.
According to letters written by Kitty West with information provided by George, he also was stationed in Algeria and Corsica. While in Oran, Algeria, he suffered an internal infection of the digestive system - dis charging pus and affecting the large intestine. He was treated at a camp hospital with an opiate.
He suffered an injury after riding in the back of an army truck on top o f a load of 40-50 foot trees on a paved road outside of Corsica. A low- hanging branch caught him on the side of the head and swept him along t he length of the trees in the truck's bed until he fell off the truck. H e landed on his right side and was knocked unconscious. He had bruised a nd cut his head and injured his right hip. He woke up at a doctor's off ice in Corsica and was later transferred to the army camp. The hip inju ry plagued him all his life.
In 1945, George contracted malaria and they sent him to a hospital in M arseille, France, where he spent three days. Then he returned to the ca mp hospital to finish recuperating. For about a year after he was discharged, he received $11 a month.
He left the military with the rank of corporal. George was awarded the Good Conduct Meda l (personal citation), the European-African-Middle Eastern Service MedalFive Bronze Stars (unit citation).
His younger sister, Catherine "Kitty" West wrote this in his memory:
My Memories of George Cummings and our Family
Our Mom and Dad were mostly Lithuanian-speaking immigrants when they ca me to this land of opportunity and freedom. Mom's first husband died -- s he came to America on the Furnessia from Scotland's shores -- with two c hildren, Polly and Andrew -- and her sister, Veronica -- in May 1909. A nother sister, Agatha, (Agnes), already lived here -- and she played "m atchmaker" -- Joseph Kaminchaitis and Katrina were married.
George was the first child of this union, born April 16, 1912 in Scrant on, PA. Mom had a corner store on Price Street to tend -- and Pop worke d in the mines nearby. With a smile of remembrance, Mom would tell us t hat George really liked bananas and often told her, "Iggie nenie banana !"
By the time I came along in 1921, our family included Anna, Joseph, Joh n and Leonard! We now lived in the middle of the block at 2117 Price St reet, where I was born. Mom told me I climbed out the upstairs bedroom w indow onto the porch roof. She spied me and tried to keep my attention w hile George scurried up the stairs and rescued me! From then on he was m y protector.
Next move was directly across the street at 2116 Price street (Note fro m Sandra: according to the 1920 Census, the family was living at 2116 P rice Street, before Kitty was born). Under Mom's direction the house an d two lots turned into a showplace of flowers and stone walks and a bri dge over a walled run-off creek. George worked diligently and willingly , kneading bread, churning butter, counseling the young ones, inspiring t he older ones to help with the chores. He soon became my "big, strong b rother."
George got his driver's license and an old truck that needed repairs qu ite a lot! Nevertheless it was our means of transportation to Dallas, P A to visit Aunt Aggie and her brood -- or perhaps to vacation there; th ere were fishing trips to Tunkhannock creek; he hauled coal or wood or r ocks for the paths; we picked and sold blueberries for 10 cents a quart - - and flower plants from the garden -- house to house -- because it was d epression time -- and we did what we could -- survived -- had fun -- an d stuck together. At least until it was time to make our own way.
Bill and I were married in 1941 and George came to live with us in Niag ara Falls in 1942 until he was inducted in the Army in '42. He worked i n the Carborundum Company while there. Johnny and Leonard served in the N avy. They sent money home -- and the Price Street home was sold and soo n the Cummings' Pond homestead was a reality. Leonard and Johnny came b ack and worked and lived in Schenectady, NY and married. George came b ack in 1945 and took up where he left off -- working to make Cummings' P ond a better place. Bill and I had come back here to live -- with Littl e Kit. We lived in the homestead long enough to put partitions and stai rs in -- and have Mom and Dad come to live here and were to fix up thei r little house. Lumber was frozen -- we couldn't build. Peggy was born i n 1944 -- Mom (Katrina) was allergic to powders and smells -- so we mov ed to the city for a couple of years until the lumber ban was lifted an d we could start building again. When George came back there was room f or him and Polly and us. Joe and Ann (Cummings) had their own home all t his time so it started to look like a little community. They had JoAnn, M aryAnn and Robert -- and we added Billy and Dave.
George and Polly started a nursery in earnest. Bill had sent some seedl ings up for Johnny while he was still in the Civilian Conservation Corp s -- these had been planted out on the hill. They sent for more seedlin gs, blueberry and strawberry plants -- and eventually sold them when re ady.
We dug a small pond first -- and used to come up from the city to visit M om and Dad and Ann and Joe -- and we would swim in the pond. I had a bi rthday party on the banks of the pond. Bill hitch-hiked in from the CCC t o meet me and surprise Johnny. A wonderful memory!
After the big pond was dug out and held water, we really enjoyed it (gr andchildren, too). Our kids learned to swim there. George started a bai tfish business and the fishing was within walking distance. George also w orked at the stone quarry for a time. He also worked as a roofer and a g ardener for three or four families. They told me they wished everybody c ould be as trustworthy and dependable as George -- and missed him when h e could no longer work for them.
In the nineties, it became increasingly hard for George to get around - - first one cane, then two - then a handcart with swivel wheels which h e put together himself. He held onto it for support and pushed and used i t to transport instead of carry and it kept him exercising. Next came t he battery powered scooter Bob brought for him to use. It got him to An n's Coffee Shop almost every morning for coffee and conversation. He pa ssed a lot of time doing crossword puzzles in the newspapers; then I st arted supplying him with puzzle books. He usually waited until 5 o'cloc k news to watch TV. He also "motored" down to our house every Sunday at 1 2:30 pm for dinner -- and joined us whenever any of the families came t o visit.
George had been at Allied Skilled Nursing Facility from April 4, 2000 - - after a very bad fall. That's a long time to sit and think and "feel" a nd remember "what used to be." I don't know if he ever regretted that h e didn't marry -- he did like a couple girls -- but never found the rig ht one. Helen, a former neighbor on Price Street, came to visit us last y ear. She said, "You know, I once had a crush on George!" - but she marr ied someone else. He told us some of the "girls" at Allied singled him o ut -- I think he was kidding - but they did crown him King of the last V alentine's Day celebration.
I often felt badly because I couldn't get him home more often. It seems t hat George hung on to see Leonard and Rosalie once again. They came Jul y 10 - George knew them and Len knew him -- Len has Alzheimer's -- and m ay soon forget, I hope not! They left on the 16th and George was taken t o Mercy Hospital on the 17th and didn't know we were there. He passed a way peacefully on July 18th. His differences will be forgotten, but he' ll be remembered with our love and prayers. God bless and keep him!
To me he will always be my BIG brother!
George Paul Cummings was the son of Joseph Kaminchaitis and Katrina Vaitkunas Kaminchaitis. He was among some in the family who changed their name from Kaminchaitis to Cummings.
George was born April 16, 1912 in Scranton, PA. He was employed in Newton Township, PA, operating bait fish, nursery, gardening and lumber businesses.
He also served during World War II and was initially stationed in Ft. Sheridan, Ill. In 1943, he was sent to Massachusetts. In Apri l 1943, sent to Iran then to Algiers staging area (according to obit). A ccording to discharge papers, he was sent to Naples-Foggia, Sicily, Rom e-Arne, Rhineland and Central Europe.
He also operated an anti-aircraft gun at some point and as a unit foreman, he assisted in the s upervision of the construction of bridges and roads.
According to letters written by Kitty West with information provided by George, he also was stationed in Algeria and Corsica. While in Oran, Algeria, he suffered an internal infection of the digestive system - dis charging pus and affecting the large intestine. He was treated at a camp hospital with an opiate.
He suffered an injury after riding in the back of an army truck on top o f a load of 40-50 foot trees on a paved road outside of Corsica. A low- hanging branch caught him on the side of the head and swept him along t he length of the trees in the truck's bed until he fell off the truck. H e landed on his right side and was knocked unconscious. He had bruised a nd cut his head and injured his right hip. He woke up at a doctor's off ice in Corsica and was later transferred to the army camp. The hip inju ry plagued him all his life.
In 1945, George contracted malaria and they sent him to a hospital in M arseille, France, where he spent three days. Then he returned to the ca mp hospital to finish recuperating. For about a year after he was discharged, he received $11 a month.
He left the military with the rank of corporal. George was awarded the Good Conduct Meda l (personal citation), the European-African-Middle Eastern Service MedalFive Bronze Stars (unit citation).
His younger sister, Catherine "Kitty" West wrote this in his memory:
My Memories of George Cummings and our Family
Our Mom and Dad were mostly Lithuanian-speaking immigrants when they ca me to this land of opportunity and freedom. Mom's first husband died -- s he came to America on the Furnessia from Scotland's shores -- with two c hildren, Polly and Andrew -- and her sister, Veronica -- in May 1909. A nother sister, Agatha, (Agnes), already lived here -- and she played "m atchmaker" -- Joseph Kaminchaitis and Katrina were married.
George was the first child of this union, born April 16, 1912 in Scrant on, PA. Mom had a corner store on Price Street to tend -- and Pop worke d in the mines nearby. With a smile of remembrance, Mom would tell us t hat George really liked bananas and often told her, "Iggie nenie banana !"
By the time I came along in 1921, our family included Anna, Joseph, Joh n and Leonard! We now lived in the middle of the block at 2117 Price St reet, where I was born. Mom told me I climbed out the upstairs bedroom w indow onto the porch roof. She spied me and tried to keep my attention w hile George scurried up the stairs and rescued me! From then on he was m y protector.
Next move was directly across the street at 2116 Price street (Note fro m Sandra: according to the 1920 Census, the family was living at 2116 P rice Street, before Kitty was born). Under Mom's direction the house an d two lots turned into a showplace of flowers and stone walks and a bri dge over a walled run-off creek. George worked diligently and willingly , kneading bread, churning butter, counseling the young ones, inspiring t he older ones to help with the chores. He soon became my "big, strong b rother."
George got his driver's license and an old truck that needed repairs qu ite a lot! Nevertheless it was our means of transportation to Dallas, P A to visit Aunt Aggie and her brood -- or perhaps to vacation there; th ere were fishing trips to Tunkhannock creek; he hauled coal or wood or r ocks for the paths; we picked and sold blueberries for 10 cents a quart - - and flower plants from the garden -- house to house -- because it was d epression time -- and we did what we could -- survived -- had fun -- an d stuck together. At least until it was time to make our own way.
Bill and I were married in 1941 and George came to live with us in Niag ara Falls in 1942 until he was inducted in the Army in '42. He worked i n the Carborundum Company while there. Johnny and Leonard served in the N avy. They sent money home -- and the Price Street home was sold and soo n the Cummings' Pond homestead was a reality. Leonard and Johnny came b ack and worked and lived in Schenectady, NY and married. George came b ack in 1945 and took up where he left off -- working to make Cummings' P ond a better place. Bill and I had come back here to live -- with Littl e Kit. We lived in the homestead long enough to put partitions and stai rs in -- and have Mom and Dad come to live here and were to fix up thei r little house. Lumber was frozen -- we couldn't build. Peggy was born i n 1944 -- Mom (Katrina) was allergic to powders and smells -- so we mov ed to the city for a couple of years until the lumber ban was lifted an d we could start building again. When George came back there was room f or him and Polly and us. Joe and Ann (Cummings) had their own home all t his time so it started to look like a little community. They had JoAnn, M aryAnn and Robert -- and we added Billy and Dave.
George and Polly started a nursery in earnest. Bill had sent some seedl ings up for Johnny while he was still in the Civilian Conservation Corp s -- these had been planted out on the hill. They sent for more seedlin gs, blueberry and strawberry plants -- and eventually sold them when re ady.
We dug a small pond first -- and used to come up from the city to visit M om and Dad and Ann and Joe -- and we would swim in the pond. I had a bi rthday party on the banks of the pond. Bill hitch-hiked in from the CCC t o meet me and surprise Johnny. A wonderful memory!
After the big pond was dug out and held water, we really enjoyed it (gr andchildren, too). Our kids learned to swim there. George started a bai tfish business and the fishing was within walking distance. George also w orked at the stone quarry for a time. He also worked as a roofer and a g ardener for three or four families. They told me they wished everybody c ould be as trustworthy and dependable as George -- and missed him when h e could no longer work for them.
In the nineties, it became increasingly hard for George to get around - - first one cane, then two - then a handcart with swivel wheels which h e put together himself. He held onto it for support and pushed and used i t to transport instead of carry and it kept him exercising. Next came t he battery powered scooter Bob brought for him to use. It got him to An n's Coffee Shop almost every morning for coffee and conversation. He pa ssed a lot of time doing crossword puzzles in the newspapers; then I st arted supplying him with puzzle books. He usually waited until 5 o'cloc k news to watch TV. He also "motored" down to our house every Sunday at 1 2:30 pm for dinner -- and joined us whenever any of the families came t o visit.
George had been at Allied Skilled Nursing Facility from April 4, 2000 - - after a very bad fall. That's a long time to sit and think and "feel" a nd remember "what used to be." I don't know if he ever regretted that h e didn't marry -- he did like a couple girls -- but never found the rig ht one. Helen, a former neighbor on Price Street, came to visit us last y ear. She said, "You know, I once had a crush on George!" - but she marr ied someone else. He told us some of the "girls" at Allied singled him o ut -- I think he was kidding - but they did crown him King of the last V alentine's Day celebration.
I often felt badly because I couldn't get him home more often. It seems t hat George hung on to see Leonard and Rosalie once again. They came Jul y 10 - George knew them and Len knew him -- Len has Alzheimer's -- and m ay soon forget, I hope not! They left on the 16th and George was taken t o Mercy Hospital on the 17th and didn't know we were there. He passed a way peacefully on July 18th. His differences will be forgotten, but he' ll be remembered with our love and prayers. God bless and keep him!
To me he will always be my BIG brother!
George was born April 16, 1912 in Scranton, PA. He was employed in Newton Township, PA, operating bait fish, nursery, gardening and lumber businesses.
He also served during World War II and was initially stationed in Ft. Sheridan, Ill. In 1943, he was sent to Massachusetts. In Apri l 1943, sent to Iran then to Algiers staging area (according to obit). A ccording to discharge papers, he was sent to Naples-Foggia, Sicily, Rom e-Arne, Rhineland and Central Europe.
He also operated an anti-aircraft gun at some point and as a unit foreman, he assisted in the s upervision of the construction of bridges and roads.
According to letters written by Kitty West with information provided by George, he also was stationed in Algeria and Corsica. While in Oran, Algeria, he suffered an internal infection of the digestive system - dis charging pus and affecting the large intestine. He was treated at a camp hospital with an opiate.
He suffered an injury after riding in the back of an army truck on top o f a load of 40-50 foot trees on a paved road outside of Corsica. A low- hanging branch caught him on the side of the head and swept him along t he length of the trees in the truck's bed until he fell off the truck. H e landed on his right side and was knocked unconscious. He had bruised a nd cut his head and injured his right hip. He woke up at a doctor's off ice in Corsica and was later transferred to the army camp. The hip inju ry plagued him all his life.
In 1945, George contracted malaria and they sent him to a hospital in M arseille, France, where he spent three days. Then he returned to the ca mp hospital to finish recuperating. For about a year after he was discharged, he received $11 a month.
He left the military with the rank of corporal. George was awarded the Good Conduct Meda l (personal citation), the European-African-Middle Eastern Service MedalFive Bronze Stars (unit citation).
His younger sister, Catherine "Kitty" West wrote this in his memory:
My Memories of George Cummings and our Family
Our Mom and Dad were mostly Lithuanian-speaking immigrants when they ca me to this land of opportunity and freedom. Mom's first husband died -- s he came to America on the Furnessia from Scotland's shores -- with two c hildren, Polly and Andrew -- and her sister, Veronica -- in May 1909. A nother sister, Agatha, (Agnes), already lived here -- and she played "m atchmaker" -- Joseph Kaminchaitis and Katrina were married.
George was the first child of this union, born April 16, 1912 in Scrant on, PA. Mom had a corner store on Price Street to tend -- and Pop worke d in the mines nearby. With a smile of remembrance, Mom would tell us t hat George really liked bananas and often told her, "Iggie nenie banana !"
By the time I came along in 1921, our family included Anna, Joseph, Joh n and Leonard! We now lived in the middle of the block at 2117 Price St reet, where I was born. Mom told me I climbed out the upstairs bedroom w indow onto the porch roof. She spied me and tried to keep my attention w hile George scurried up the stairs and rescued me! From then on he was m y protector.
Next move was directly across the street at 2116 Price street (Note fro m Sandra: according to the 1920 Census, the family was living at 2116 P rice Street, before Kitty was born). Under Mom's direction the house an d two lots turned into a showplace of flowers and stone walks and a bri dge over a walled run-off creek. George worked diligently and willingly , kneading bread, churning butter, counseling the young ones, inspiring t he older ones to help with the chores. He soon became my "big, strong b rother."
George got his driver's license and an old truck that needed repairs qu ite a lot! Nevertheless it was our means of transportation to Dallas, P A to visit Aunt Aggie and her brood -- or perhaps to vacation there; th ere were fishing trips to Tunkhannock creek; he hauled coal or wood or r ocks for the paths; we picked and sold blueberries for 10 cents a quart - - and flower plants from the garden -- house to house -- because it was d epression time -- and we did what we could -- survived -- had fun -- an d stuck together. At least until it was time to make our own way.
Bill and I were married in 1941 and George came to live with us in Niag ara Falls in 1942 until he was inducted in the Army in '42. He worked i n the Carborundum Company while there. Johnny and Leonard served in the N avy. They sent money home -- and the Price Street home was sold and soo n the Cummings' Pond homestead was a reality. Leonard and Johnny came b ack and worked and lived in Schenectady, NY and married. George came b ack in 1945 and took up where he left off -- working to make Cummings' P ond a better place. Bill and I had come back here to live -- with Littl e Kit. We lived in the homestead long enough to put partitions and stai rs in -- and have Mom and Dad come to live here and were to fix up thei r little house. Lumber was frozen -- we couldn't build. Peggy was born i n 1944 -- Mom (Katrina) was allergic to powders and smells -- so we mov ed to the city for a couple of years until the lumber ban was lifted an d we could start building again. When George came back there was room f or him and Polly and us. Joe and Ann (Cummings) had their own home all t his time so it started to look like a little community. They had JoAnn, M aryAnn and Robert -- and we added Billy and Dave.
George and Polly started a nursery in earnest. Bill had sent some seedl ings up for Johnny while he was still in the Civilian Conservation Corp s -- these had been planted out on the hill. They sent for more seedlin gs, blueberry and strawberry plants -- and eventually sold them when re ady.
We dug a small pond first -- and used to come up from the city to visit M om and Dad and Ann and Joe -- and we would swim in the pond. I had a bi rthday party on the banks of the pond. Bill hitch-hiked in from the CCC t o meet me and surprise Johnny. A wonderful memory!
After the big pond was dug out and held water, we really enjoyed it (gr andchildren, too). Our kids learned to swim there. George started a bai tfish business and the fishing was within walking distance. George also w orked at the stone quarry for a time. He also worked as a roofer and a g ardener for three or four families. They told me they wished everybody c ould be as trustworthy and dependable as George -- and missed him when h e could no longer work for them.
In the nineties, it became increasingly hard for George to get around - - first one cane, then two - then a handcart with swivel wheels which h e put together himself. He held onto it for support and pushed and used i t to transport instead of carry and it kept him exercising. Next came t he battery powered scooter Bob brought for him to use. It got him to An n's Coffee Shop almost every morning for coffee and conversation. He pa ssed a lot of time doing crossword puzzles in the newspapers; then I st arted supplying him with puzzle books. He usually waited until 5 o'cloc k news to watch TV. He also "motored" down to our house every Sunday at 1 2:30 pm for dinner -- and joined us whenever any of the families came t o visit.
George had been at Allied Skilled Nursing Facility from April 4, 2000 - - after a very bad fall. That's a long time to sit and think and "feel" a nd remember "what used to be." I don't know if he ever regretted that h e didn't marry -- he did like a couple girls -- but never found the rig ht one. Helen, a former neighbor on Price Street, came to visit us last y ear. She said, "You know, I once had a crush on George!" - but she marr ied someone else. He told us some of the "girls" at Allied singled him o ut -- I think he was kidding - but they did crown him King of the last V alentine's Day celebration.
I often felt badly because I couldn't get him home more often. It seems t hat George hung on to see Leonard and Rosalie once again. They came Jul y 10 - George knew them and Len knew him -- Len has Alzheimer's -- and m ay soon forget, I hope not! They left on the 16th and George was taken t o Mercy Hospital on the 17th and didn't know we were there. He passed a way peacefully on July 18th. His differences will be forgotten, but he' ll be remembered with our love and prayers. God bless and keep him!
To me he will always be my BIG brother!
Inscription
George P. Cummings
CPL US Army
World War II
Apr 16, 1912
Jul 18, 2002
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
