George S. Hashway, Jr.

George S. Hashway Jr, born June 29, 1939 in Woonsocket, RI, to George S. and Lydia A. Hashway, passed away in his home, with hospice care on April 9, 2017.  He is survived Louise, his devoted wife of 40 years, his son Nathan and his wife Susan and grandchildren Alexis and Brayden of Millbury, MA, son Matthew of West Boylston, and son Andrew and fiancé Laural Bento of Watertown, MA.  He also leaves his sister Elaine Woods and her two sons and their families.       Born in Rhode Island, his family moved to Worcester, MA where he was raised and educated, graduating from South High School in 1960.  He enrolled at Worcester Junior College and joined the Army National Guard Reserve in the fall of 1960.  He was honorably discharged as Sgt. E5.  His government service allowed him to earn his LPN which then underpinned further career opportunities. An avid swimmer, George was recruited to be the Aquatic Director of the Greendale YMCA.  Qualified as an LPN, he joined Saint Vincent Hospital on Winthrop St., to accommodate his full-time position at the Greendale Y. George worked part time within the Operating Room, then the Pediatric Department (where he met his wife) and subsequently transferred to the Emergency Room as circumstances demanded.  He transitioned from both the YMCA and acute care at Saint Vincent to work in adolescent psychiatry through the UMass program, retiring in 2003. As George reflected on his life, he often said that the YMCA and his work there framed his life.  It wasn’t only employment, but offered him the opportunity to impact children’s lives.  Much more of a nurturer than a competitor, George filled his Director’s responsibilities, taught swim to “tiny tots” and functioned as a coach to the swim team.  During his tenure at the Y, Georges greatest joy was acting as an unofficial big brother/uncle to dozens, if not close to 100 boys, particularly those without father figures in their lives.  George incorporated these young men into his personal life, taking them to area museums, parks and sporting events, having them in his home, enjoying love, laughter and his famous spaghetti dinners.  George remained close to several of the boys and their expanding families over the years until his death, even acting as a godfather to one of his “boys” sons.  He would always try to impart his love and knowledge of cars and watches to his 3 sons, a love and appreciation that they have held through his passing.  Devoted to the idea of the YMCA and what it did for many children, he often would take his own children there to teach them how to swim, and spend time in the place he loved with the ones he loved.   George’s favorite place to visit was Newport, RI where he paid tribute to the salt water that he claimed ran through his veins.  It was the sight of many daytrips with his “Y” children and his own family, preferably in his iconic 1975 Delta 88 convertible.  Like clockwork, a trip to Newport involved fishing at Goat Island and observing the moored yachts, to Brenton Point State Park to eat his famous toasted tuna sandwiches for lunch and to fly kites.  The day would end after swimming, boogie boarding or walking along Second and Third beaches.  Retired after 43 years of work, he returned to swimming at the Greendale YMCA where he had a lifetime membership, both for the exercise and social life surrounding it, until physically incapacitated. The family wishes to thank Dr. Thomas Walsh for all his care and attention to George over the years, and to the St. Vincent doctors and nurses, particularly those in the ICU.  The staff at Holy Trinity Rehabilitation for their work to return George to his home where Hospice was prepared to assist him and the family in George’s last weeks.  Of particular note, the work done by Michelle Tessier, RN.    With thanks to his church members for their prayers and support during his hospitalization, and his neighbors for their caring and support while home with hospice, all of which contributed to the quality of his last days. Services for George will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester with a funeral service at 10:00 a.m. in St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St., Worcester.  Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery, Worcester.  A period of calling hours will be held on Monday, April 17th from 4-8 p.m. in the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, kindly consider making memorial contributions in memory of George to a charity of your choice.  To share your thoughts, memories or prayers with George’s family, please visit his personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com