George Giltinan
George Murray Giltinan passed away at the age of 75 on September 26th, 2015.
He was born September 1, 1940 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Francis “Pete” and Rosalie Giltinan. He is survived by three daughters, Cherie Hill, Erin Hill and Meghann Sherp, five grandchildren, Jason Hill, Valerie Hill, Gillian Sherp, Savannah Sherp and Maura Hill, and two sisters, Ellen Elder and Celia Giltinan-Kneip.
George graduated from Christian Brothers College High School in 1958, attended and graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in 1965 with a Bachelors in Science. He then served with the United States Navy until 1971, as a pilot during the Vietnam War. George went on to be an engineer and received his Masters in Business from Maryville University.
George will be laid to rest at Jefferson Barracks Cemetery with full military honors. Friends, family and colleagues are welcome to attend the military service at Jefferson Barracks on Monday, October 5th, at 1:00 PM. Those attending are asked to arrive at 12:45 PM and to please park behind the Administration building at the entrance of the cemetery where you can meet his family in preparation for the formal service.
Please share your condolences and your memories of George below.
George was one of the most beloved members of our 1958 CBC Class. He was always jovial and outgoing to all.
His smile was legendary – as were his memorable sneezes!
Someone asked him, at a CBC Reunion, if he ever sneezed while landing his S-2 on a carrier, and what happened. His reply: “Just once: I freaked,and had to go around again – and that was the last time I sneezed while flying!”
George, Dear Brother, we will miss you.
God bless George and his family.He was a wonderful man and classmate.
1958
George was what I would call a friend of everyone and a friend forever. We graduated from St. Anthony’s Grade School and then from CBC High School. We were the only two of our CBC class that lived way out in Jefferson County and commuted daily by car and hitch hiking until we got cars. Seemed funny that two guys from a small grade school class (18) would end up graduating from service academies—he from Annapolis and me from West Point.
George became famous for his long bouts of sneezing that classmates from grade school through the Naval Academy and into his Naval Career will always remember. He was a clown and prankster known for mixing up boots in the hallway when it was raining so classmates would come out and suddenly realize only one of the shoes on the floor under their coat belonged to them. He pasted paper eyes inside glasses to make it appear he was awake. During CBC typing classes, he use to purposely type a few extra letters after the cease work bell rang so that he would have to suffer the brunt of a paddling. What the instructor didn’t know was he would wear extra layers of underwear along with handkerchiefs inside to ease the sting. When asked if he had enough, Geroge replied, “Just Suit Yourself.” He had the knack of always keeping you laughing. If Laughter is the Best Medicine, I guess we would have to call him “Doctor.” He was a great person and friend who always brought happiness to the crowd around him. He will be missed by all of us. Thank You George for serving you country in war time. Rest In Peace.
Only remember the good.
My deepest sympathies to George’s family on the death of a good man who loved them all.
May the Holy Angels lead you into paradise, ol’ buddy. Now you can rest.
Fare thee well roomie. This world has lost a larger than life soul but God now has someone to make him smile in these difficult times.
I will always remember George with the playful grin on his face every time you saw him at CBC. His life has been most impressive and admirable; not many people can earn such a distinction. A life well lived who capably served his country. Who would have thought that playful imp we knew in high school would go on to achieve so many accomplishments? I’m happy he is now at peace and will collect his just rewards.
George was a classmate at the Naval Academy. Plebe year was not fun back then except when you had someone like George to help get you thru it. He was what the world has come to know as “good people.” God Bless you, my friend!
Condolences from a member of USNA Class of 1965. RIP shipmate.
Rest in peace, dear George. The CBC Class of 1958 remembers you with affection and pride. Thank you for your service, too.
George was great guy, a classmate and teammate at CBC. May God bless him. We will always remember that laugh and smile.
For four years, George, “The Ogre”, lived down the hall from me at the Naval Academy. He ALWAYS had something going on in his room – study gouges, newspapers, magazines, weird stories, odd pieces of information. He was a terrific diversion from the oppressive rigors of our military training, and it was always fun to listen to George or hear about his oftentimes non-regulation adventures. He was an inspiration. He’ll have St. Peter giggling and in tears. Farewell Big George! Pete, USNA 65, Captain, USN(ret), Old, Bald Naval Aviator, Chopper Division