Hi, I’m George. I enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 19 in May 1968. I served for 4 years in the then Army Security Agency and worked in Signals Intelligence. After schooling, I was deployed overseas to Asmara, Eritrea, for 18 months. My original MOS was Teletype Intercept Operator. When I returned to the States, my MOS was changed to Signals Conversion Technician when I was assigned to the National Security Agency. I was proud to be entrusted with a Top Secret Security clearance and was able to work on some very sensitive projects. I was proud to serve my country, and I made some good friends with whom I served.
My wife Barbara and I met at a dance in our Junior year of high school. We were married during my last year in the military, and we have been together for 55 years. After my discharge in 1971, we returned to our native central Massachusetts, where I returned to college. I obtained a Bachelor’s. I then secured a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling and began work as a Master ‘s-level Psychologist for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. Later, I obtained another Master’s in Social Work. I worked in a number of settings, including court clinics, community mental health, correctional settings, day hospitals, and, in the latter part of my career, geriatric mental health. I like to think I was able to make a difference in the lives of my clients.
Barbara and I were married 10 years before we had our first child. We started our family in a rural town in central Massachusetts, where I served as a call firefighter for about 6 years.
We then moved to Cape Cod, where we raised our 3 boys. We made an effort to structure our boys’ time through involvement in school and multiple sports, which seemed to put them on the right track. All three are college grads. My oldest son, Mark, spent 15 years on active duty in the Marine Corps as an F-35 pilot. He is now a reservist and serves as an F-35 flight instructor. In civilian life, he is a pilot for Delta Airlines. He is married and has one child (Isla), and they live in Utah. My middle son, Andrew, is married and has two daughters (Maya and Sierra). He is a Federal Agent in the San Diego area. My youngest son, Patrick, is married and has one daughter (Addie), and they reside here in Arizona. He is also a Federal Agent in the Phoenix area. We are exceptionally proud of our sons for the men they have become and for their decision to serve this country. My wife went back to school during our son’s childhood and became a Dental Hygienist. We both retired in 2020. We moved to Arizona to be close to our children and our grandchildren, whom we love spending time with.
I first became aware that I had kidney disease about 10 years ago. At the time, I was shocked as my nephrologist told me I would one day be on dialysis. I have polycystic kidney disease, which has progressed over time. Although this condition can run in families, I am not aware of anyone else in my family with the condition. I was placed on a transplant list in March of 2022. Miraculously, I got the call only 4 months later for a deceased kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Unfortunately, it never functioned adequately, and I had to start dialysis in November of 2022. I remain on dialysis. At this point, I have been on the transplant list for 4 years. I do my dialysis at home daily, and I try to make the best of it. It does consume a good part of my daily routine.
I enjoy gardening in my yard, exploring the desert here in Arizona, playing pool with a friend, and spending time with our dogs, Gypsy and Happy. Thanks for reading my story. My compliments to you for even considering a gift of life to someone else.
We need you to help us support George. Whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, you can make a profound impact!
Living kidney donation has been proven to be safe. There are no long term consequences to the donor. After recovery, donors can live a normal life with one kidney.
DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery.
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611
