Obituary of George E. Ginther

Born in a row home, on East Auburn Street, Kensington Philadelphia, he was son of Dannie & Ellwood George Ginther, and brother to Dorothy. 

George’s dad played piano. George’s uncles entertained with Hawaiian guitar, and violin. George’s sister Dorothy played the piano, organ, and hand bells. George started playing piano when he was 8 or 9 years old. George remembered, “On Friday nights while growing up, we’d go to one of our uncle’s houses and play music.” Music was always part of the Ginther family.

George grew up during WWII, he aspired to be a jet fighter pilot. But the military disqualified him due to poor eyesight. George then countered that if he couldn’t be a jet pilot he wanted to be a jet engine mechanic. But again the military refused, saying he would better serve the country by earning a college degree. So George entered Drexel at the age of 17; and graduated in June 1950 with a BS Mechanical Engineering degree (documenting his analytic problem solving prowess).

George’s dad was a Freemason. So when George reached the eligible age of 21, he petitioned to become a Freemason. By age 29 George was Worshipful Master of Crescent Lodge #493; the youngest Worshipful Master at that time.

After graduating George worked at Specialty Engineering, Proctor & Schwartz, Systems Engineering Company, Clevepak Corporation, Wayne Automation Corporation, and Cyklop.  George met Mildred Katits while working at Proctor & Schwartz. George remembered being “smitten by Mildred”. They married on October 3, 1953. There were five children: George Jr, John, Bryce, Joyce, David, who were raised in King of Prussia. Joyce did not survive childhood. George and Mildred also enjoyed their other home in the Poconos, and traveled there when they could even after they moved to the Masonic Village Lafayette Hill in 2004.  George and Mildred were married for almost 57 years until Mildred’s death in 2010.  George married Pat Trautmann on his birthday in 2013, and they shared almost four years together prior to Pat’s passing.  George’s decision to give up driving in 2018 (primarily due to his eyesight) represented a significant transition. Nevertheless, he continued to help others as he was able, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends including Celine Childs.

George’s Christian faith was a central aspect of his life and resonated through his interactions with others.  Throughout George’s life he volunteered at churches, Locust Lake Village in the Poconos, Masonic Village Lafayette Hill, Hospice, various Lodges, Roxborough Men’s Chorus, etc. But most especially, George is remembered for music. Like his dad before him, George enjoyed playing the pop tunes of his generation, and hymns, on piano.

In October 2023, George was rushed to the ICU. He remained in ICU for 2 weeks. Later George was discharged into nursing care, where he continued to play piano. George remained in nursing care until his passing on March 7, 2024, at the Masonic Village at Lafayette Hill.

George is survived by his four sons, George, Jr. (Brenda), John (Sue), Bryce (Kit) and David (Connie).  He is also survived by his six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and two nephews.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, June 15th starting at 1:00 PM at the Masonic Village Lafayette Hill 801 Ridge Pike, Lafayette Hill, PA.