I'm not sure exactly when I joined the forum but I remember that I still had dial-up internet access. George's posts stood out immediately - rambling, technical and very personal. He didn't seem able to separate his anecdotes from the topic. He loved to make references to aberrant general contractors or some bird-dog AHJ and more often than not also included some very personal words of advice in the context of how he might handle the situation being discussed. Within the first couple of weeks, he signed off one of his posts with a vague reference to Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters; I followed up on that with him and found that, like me, he was a long-time Deadhead. And so began a 15- or 16-year friendship that has led to so many acquaintances and friends in this industry that I can't possibly count them all.
The very first AFSA conference I attended was in Scottsdale, AZ in 1991 or thereabout. At the general assembly, I remember sitting through the speeches and awards and wondering "Who are these old-timers getting all these lifetime achievement acknowledgements and when will the exhibit hall open so I can hit the bars and buffets?" Having become much more involved since then, I now truly appreciate the legacies and contributions of those "ten-percenters" whose energies and vision can shape the direction not only of trade groups but of the industries they serve. George would never have patted himself on the back or accepted accolades for being such a leader, and his means and methods were equal parts humble and awkward at times. He wasn't a great speaker, but was never afraid to speak. He wasn't the most cogent writer and strayed from topic as a matter of practice, but what he wrote had great value. He served on technical committees, apprenticeship committees, ad hoc groups, task groups, he advocated, he fought, he led by example. In that spirit, I would ask the younger members of AFSA and who subscribe to this forum to remember George as one of the people who have shaped this group into what it is and what it stands for. One of his very proudest moments was an event that embodies AFSA's mission and doctrine. After months of salting and seeding by the union, a vote was called to determine whether Rowe Sprinkler Systems' fitters would organize. Rather than freak out, George undertook the most methodical fact-gathering exercise ever, and drew up comparisons of net wages, healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, etc., etc. He had already gone the way of earnestly training his installers, he fervently believed he offered a better career experience than they could get through the union. He informed his people of the realities of running such a business in the markets served, and explained his closely held opinion that everyone would be better off if they remained an open shop. And when it came down, his field labor force voted to keep their faith in George and Cathy. He engendered that kind of loyalty among his friends, his peers, his employees. George loved the fire sprinkler industry, he was aware of but humble about the work he did and the assets he has left that will benefit others, and he will always be an ideal poster boy for AFSA. We goofed around a LOT at conventions, but I also had the privilege of spending time with him - and Cathy - away from business, away from the stress. He was a really good guy; what you saw was what you got. One of the two or three most sincere and real people I will ever know, and I'm going to miss him very much. Steve Leyton -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Steve Muncy Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2013 7:35 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: George L. Church, Jr. I knew George was quite ill and his time was short, but that doesn't lessen sadness I feel on hearing that George Church has passed. I have known George for a really long time and considered him a good friend. He was an enthusiastic supporter of AFSA and an enthusiastic supporter of the fire sprinkler industry. George was enthusiastic about just about everything. He was never shy about letting us know when something was wrong, and was always the first to say when something was right. Long-time participants of the SprinklerForum know that George was among the first to participate, and he has given help and advice on hundreds of issues as one of the most active participants on the SprinklerForum. On a personal level, I will greatly miss his counsel and his friendship. The sprinkler industry has lost a great friend. His family has lost a loving son, husband and father. Our condolences go out to Cathy, Meg and his extended family. They should be proud that George Church, Jr. truly made a difference in the lives of so many people. Steve A. Muncy, CAE - President American Fire Sprinkler Assn. -- FIRE SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES! Dallas, TX http://www.firesprinkler.org On Jun 27, 2013, at 9:09 AM, Ken Holsopple <[email protected]> wrote: > Dear Forumites, > > It is with great sorrow that I bear the news that George L. Church, Jr. past away last evening after a 16 month battle with lung cancer. > George was 58 years old. George leaves behind a wife Cathy, daughter Margaret (Meg) Ames, son-in law Dave Ames, his mother and four sisters. > > George's sprinkler career started in 1974 with Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America (Philly) and in 1998 started Rowe Sprinkler with his wife Cathy. > As many of you know, he was a fan of this forum and an huge advocate for the fire sprinkler industry. He served on several NFPA committees and valued the many friends he made along his journey. > His humor, enthusiasm, and passion for the sprinkler business will be a great loss for all of us. > > I will post funeral arrangements here on the forum when they become available. > > But in true George Church fashion and as a tribute and continuation of his last forum post....I know he is licking (kicking) himself in a better place. > (Sorry Mr. Muncy, but I know he wouldn't have passed this one up.) > > Wiping away tears as I hit the send button. > > Ken Holsopple > Rowe Sprinkler Systems, Inc. > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler .org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler .org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
