1926 - 2016
NEW HARTFORD - Mr. George Elmer Vermilya, 90, of New Hartford and formerly of Fly Creek, died Saturday morning, November 26, 2016, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica.
A native of Delaware County, George was born at home in Grand Gorge on September 12, 1926, a son of Leo Eugene Vermilya and Inez Patterson Vermilya.
He attended South Kortright Central School and then entered into active service in the United States Army in January 1945. After proudly serving his country during World War II he returned home and earned his high school diploma from SKCS with the Class of 1948.
On October 2, 1953, George married Elsie A. Darling in a ceremony at the Hobart Methodist Church. In 1954, the couple moved to Cooperstown where George was employed as the manager of the Sealtest Milk Plant which was located at the corner of Chestnut and Walnut Streets.
During their years in the Cooperstown area, the Vermilyas resided in Fly Creek, during which time Elsie was employed on the news staff of The Freeman's Journal. George became a life member of the Sgt. Walter P. Eggleston Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7128 in Cooperstown, and often served with the Honor Guard for Military Honors for deceased Veterans.
In 1971, George and Elsie moved to St. Lawrence County to reside in Madrid, where he was employed as a dairy farm inspector for the Kraft Cheese Plant in Canton. Upon his retirement in 1988, the couple moved to New Hartford.
George is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Anthony Covais of Massena; three granddaughters, Tammy Loz and husband, Richard, Teresa Cavanaugh and husband, Mark, and Candace O'Neill; 11 great grandchildren; and two great great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Elsie A. Vermilya, who died January 18, 2009.
A graveside service with Military Honors will be offered in the Spring of 2017 in the Fly Creek Valley Cemetery. Service details will be announced at that time.
As an alternative to flowers, expressions of sympathy in the form of memorial gifts may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.