Obituary of George H. Elmes

George H. Elmes, 76, passed away peacefully Monday, May 13, 2013 at his home in Thompson, CT. Beloved husband of the late Gwynne A. (Commo) Elmes, who died February 21, 1998, they were married May 23, 1959. George was born June 27, 1936 in Worcester, MA, son of the late Harold R. and Shirley (Mandell) Elmes. A graduate of Worcester Boy’s Trade School, where he trained as a cabinet-maker, he entered the Navy shortly after graduating and served as a SeaBee from 1955-57. Upon his honorable discharge he worked at Atkins and Merrell as a scale model maker helping design, amongst many things, the first scale models for the US Space Program including the first lunar lander. He later found a love of, and talent for sales where he prospered for many years in the foam plastics industry before opening his own business in 1978. He was the proud owner of Branch River Foam Plastics from 1978 up until his retirement in 2003. In his retirement, he was a member of the Greendale Men’s Club, enjoyed weekly golfing and bowling sessions with his friends, traveled extensively and spent time with his grandchildren. He loved his yard, his gardens and driving, often choosing it over flying. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He leaves three daughters, Kristen A. Elmes of Ware, MA, Tracy B. Young and her husband John of Putnam, CT, and Kelly J. Smith and her husband John of Worcester, MA; two sons Steven J. Elmes of Boulder, CO, and Michael J. Elmes and his wife Joy Hammond of Bradford, NH; siblings Hugh, Beverly and William; two grandchildren, Gabriel and Nicholas Smith of Worcester; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam, CT. Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery, Worcester, MA. Calling hours are Friday from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hospice of NECT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260, or to the Trustees of Tufts, Travis Fund, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536. To share a memory with his family “Light a Candle” at www.smithandwalkerfh.com