George W Dearness, Sr.

George W. Dearness, Sr. of East Hanover, passed away in Morristown Medical Center on August 11, 2021 after a brief illness.

George was born in Newark and raised in Irvington and Union.  After graduating from Irvington High School, he attended Seton Hall University where he received a BS degree in English Literature.  While in college he enlisted in the NJ National Guard and served for two years.  After graduation in 1951, he enlisted in the United States Army, serving during the Korean War.

He was selected for the Army Counter-Intelligence Corps Training School in Baltimore and graduated with a Top Secret Security Clearance.  In April 1952, George was sent on a special assignment to a CIC detachment in Germany.  While there, he attended several German language and advanced intelligence training programs.

Later, he was out-stationed as a Special Field Agent, where he was assigned as a Liaison to several high ranking German military and government personnel to facilitate working relationships as Germany changed back to a sovereign nation.  George was also involved with double agents that were sent into East Germany, Poland and Russia in attempts to gather intelligence information.

George returned home in May of 1954 where he was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.  He later married and had two sons, George Jr. and Christopher.  He began working for the Social Security Administration in 1956 and was promoted to a series of management positions in New Jersey and the Regional Headquarters in New York.  George retired as District Manager of the Elizabeth, NJ SSA office in 1997 after 40 years of employment.  He was very proud of his 45 years of military and civilian service to our country.

After retirement, he stayed active by working in a variety of part-time positions, including teaching and security.  George became a member/historian with the WWI Historical Association and was also an active member of the Morris Museum Astronomical Society and the Battleship USS New Jersey Association.  He became an officer of the local American Legion and VFW Posts.  In 2014, he was the proud Grand Marshall of the East Hanover Memorial Day Parade.  George was also a published poet with the International Society of Poets.

George is pre-deceased by his two sons, George, Jr. and Christopher.  However, he is survived by his beloved wife of many years, Theresa, of whom he said provided the best years of his life through her love and companionship.  In addition, he leaves his three loving step-children, Tara Sandillo, her partner Luis Cardenas, Michael Sandillo, Tracey Skoullos and her husband, Emmanuel and his grandchildren Matthew Cardenas and Nikolaos Skoullos.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Saturday, August 21st from 1-4pm.  George's remains will be interred at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia

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