George Matthew Donaldson of Cazenovia, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. George was born on September 29, 1919 in Bronx, New York. He was a graduate of Mt. Saint Michaels Academy, and served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a commercial real estate broker, retiring at the age of 80. On October 23, 1948 he married the love of his life, Rosemary Mulligan Donaldson. Rosemary predeceased George in 2010. Together they raised their six children. George is survived by his five daughters, one son, nineteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren; Pamela Ryan (Lindsay and Jerry, Matthew and Katie); Deborah McCullough and her husband, Tom (Mary Kate and Chris, Keely and Maureen); Mary-Pat Northrup and her husband, Ted (Christina and Melissa, Kimberly and Chuck and Baby Brooke, and Ashley); George M. Donaldson, Jr. and his wife, Mary Beth (Kerrin and Matt and Baby Maggie, twins George III and Garrett); Kathleen Franz and her husband, Eric (Shane, Carter, Caroline, Cullen); Kimberly Hartnett and her husband, Peter (Duffy, Terence, Brendan, William). George was the shining light of his devoted family and will be missed dearly by his family and friends. He was a gift from God, so beautifully made. His immense love for his wife Rosemary and for each of his six children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren was so apparent to each one of us. It was his life work to make everyone he met feel great about themselves and to make the lives of others a little brighter. He lived by the quote by Mother Teresa, "A life not lived for others, is not a life." He was the most positive person on the planet, exuding enthusiasm and firmly believing the quote of Emerson's "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!" He made you feel so wonderful each and every time you were lucky enough to be in his presence. He cheered us on in each and every endeavor and coached us every day to live life to its fullest potential. We can be at peace knowing that he is in heaven, and has joyfully reunited with Rosemary, basking in the reward of a life well lived. George was a living saint where faith and family always came first, but when spring training started, the Boston Red Sox came in a close second! George loved celebrations, and we will rejoice gloriously on Wednesday, February 11. Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. James Church, Cazenovia. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Thursday, February 12 at 9 a.m. at St. James Church, Cazenovia. Contributions in George's memory may be made to St. James Church, 6 Green Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035.

Published in Syracuse Post Standard from Feb. 9 to Feb. 10, 2015