Ralph Clinton George, for many years the head of the East Hampton Town Police marine division, volunteer ambulance driver, and town resident for nearly his entire life, died on Nov. 29 in Tewksbury, Mass. The cause was congestive heart failure. He was 92.
After 20 years in the Navy, stationed aboard several ships and submarines, Mr. George worked aboard his cherished East Hampton Town police boat Marine One, his family said. Many people can attest to being rescued or towed in from choppy waters by him, they said. As an ambulance driver, he answered more than 3,000 calls across more than 30 years.
After his retirement, he would often spend mornings with a cup of coffee looking out over Three Mile Harbor. He had many friends with whom he shared laughs and stories. A member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in East Hampton, he enjoyed the company of his usher comrades and his fellow parishioners. He was a past commander of the East Hampton Town American Legion post and active in the Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Born on Aug. 14, 1929, in Southampton to Edward George and the former Angela Pitts, he grew up in East Hampton. Apart from his time in the Navy and the last year of his life, he lived here. His family said East Hampton was his favorite place.
Mr. George was married to the former Vilma Hawkins, who survives. He is also survived by a son, Reuben George of Columbia, S.C., and a stepdaughter, Sandra Convery of Tewksbury. He leaves four granddaughters, Lauren Convery of Nashua, N.H., Kerri Convery of Newton, Mass., and Julia Marie George and Jennifer Michelle George of South Carolina. Three great-grandchildren, Bryan, Olivia, and Kevin Reeves, all of South Carolina, also survive.
Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Most Holy Trinity on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends have been invited. Burial will follow at the church cemetery on Cedar Street.
Mr. George’s family has suggested memorial contributions to the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 123, Washington, D.C. 20004, online at navymemorial.org/general-donation, or the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, P.O. Box 2616, East Hampton 11937, online at arfhamptons.org.
