George C. Runz

04/24/2007

George C. Runz, 94, of 15 Mallard Drive, died Tuesday at his home. Born in Long Island City, N.Y., on April 19, 1913, son of Martin and Emma Roughley Runz, he moved to Berkshire Village in Lanesborough as a child and was educated in local schools. He also attended Pittsfield Vocational School. Mr. Runz moved during the Depression to Long Island City, N.Y., where he worked at various jobs. He was last employed by the Department of Mental Hygiene in Brentwood, N.Y., retiring in 1970. After retiring he moved to Becket. He was a former member of the Central Islip Fire Department for more than 50 years and had served as its fire chief and fire commissioner. He and his wife, the former Hilda Heines Sayden, were married June 9, 1956. His first wife, the former Catherine V. Reinle, died in 1955. Besides his wife, he leaves a son, George M. Runz of Seneca, S.C.; six daughters, Catherine Dow of Central Islip, N.Y., Joan Quinlan of Bay Shore, N.Y., Lois Briscoe of Islip, N.Y., Meta Janowitz of Trenton, N.J., Patricia Ruppert of Puyallup, Wash., and Tami Henery of Monroe, N.Y.; 16 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A memorial service for George Runz, who died Tuesday, April 24, 2007, will be held Saturday, June 23, at 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church in Becket with Richard Hayes of Hospice officiating. In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations to HospiceCare in the Berkshires or to the Becket Congregational Church Memorial Garden Fund, care of KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 3 Main St., Lee, MA 01238.

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