GREENE – The Greater Greene Chamber of Commerce will honor George Estey as Citizen of the Year at its 2010 Annual Dinner Meeting to be held on Saturday, May 1 at the Baron’s Inn in Greene.
“The Chamber is proud to recognize George for his many years of continued community service,” said GGCC Executive Director Stefanie Hartman.
According to Hartman, Estey was nominated for the prestigious award by members and friends of the First Congregational Church of Greene.
George has been an active member of the church since moving to Greene in 1990. He participates in many activities, including being a Deacon, member of the Pastor Parish Relations, men’s groups, and committees. He developed and maintains the Church’s web page, and makes sure each Sunday’s worship service is on the web page for shut-ins to hear.
Always there to lend a helping hand, these are the words that come to mind when thinking of George Estey. George has always given of his time and talents to help his family, friends, neighbors, Church, and community.
George and his wife, Kathy, live at 38 North Canal Street in Greene. They have four children and four grandchildren: Gregg and Pamela Estey and daughter Zoe in Boston; Michael and Lora Estey and son Thomas in Boston; Bob and Yvonne Kester and children Jeremy and Aaron in Albany; and Carrie Jackson in Syracuse.
George began working at age 14 pumping gas for the Flying A Service Station. He served in the US Navy as a Fire Control Technician. He is a co-planner of his ship’s Navy reunion, and maintains the ship’s web page. He worked for Pacific Telephone, and then for IBM for many years in Los Angeles, Houston, Kingston, and Endicott. He retired from IBM in 1993.
He operated a home repair business from 1995 through 2000 after attending a BOCES class in home construction. He has worked at BOCES as a teaching assistant in Building Trades, and was a substitute teacher in Building Trades, Culinary Arts, Graphic Arts, Conservation, Security, Law and GED Classes. George remodeled their family home, which was originally owned by Kathy’s grandparents; and helps neighbors and family members with repairs and home projects such as roofing, electrical, and general construction.
His extensive knowledge and expertise in home construction led him to volunteer for the Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Board of Directors from 1995 to 2003, and the President from 1999 to 2002. He actively participated in the building of all four houses in Chenango County, two in Norwich, one in Bainbridge, and the most recent in Greene. He was in charge of the construction of one in Norwich and completed the electrical wiring for all four houses. The next Habitat for Humanity house will be built in West Bainbridge. He is active in the annual Carnation sale before Valentine’s Day.
