George James Lair

George was the husband of Joan L. Lair, with whom he shared 27 years of marriage.

Born in Newark, NJ, in 1922, George was the son of George A. Lair and Agnes Lair (nee Crummy) and brother to Jayne, Robert (who predeceased him) and Parker. In 1941 George married Gertrude Nolan to whom he was married for 38 years during which time they were the parents of seven children.

In 1944, George was commissioned in the United States Navy and served his next two years in United States Navy Construction Battalions on the Pacific Island of Guam.

Exiting the Navy, George was employed on the New York waterfront in various positions in the stevedoring industry in the Port. In 1962 he and his family moved from their home in South Orange, NJ, to Baie D'urfe, Quebec, Canada, where he was vice president of Eastern Canada Stevedoring Corp. In 1966 the family moved back to Upper Saddle River, NJ, where he was again employed in executive positions on the New York waterfront. 

In 1971, George, as a Vice President of American Export Industries and President of Transocean Gateway Corp. was responsible for the opening of the Howland Hook Marine Terminal facility in Staten Island; the terminal is presently known as The New York Container Terminal. He became a Vice President of American Export Lines and continued in that role when Farrell Lines assumed American Export Lines.

George became Chairman of New York Terminal Conference, a group of Marine Terminal Operators in the Port of New York. The Conference operates under the aegis of the Federal Maritime Commission setting terms and conditions for marine terminal activities interfacing with truck and rail operations.

George was an active golfer for many years at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus and later at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield.

He leaves his surviving children, Barbara Golden, George Jr., Peter F., Mary Patricia Tiddes, John P., Richard G. and Brian J. (predeceased).  Step-children Robert Hain, Scott Hain and Susan Garrigan.

He is also survived by his grandchildren. James Golden, Krista Cote, Jennifer Lair, Stephanie Manasterli, Allison Grossman, Timothy Lair, Michael Tiddes, Matthew Tiddes, Mark Tiddes, Justin Lair, Megan Reed, Ryan Lair, Darcy Lair, Trevor Hain, Garrett Hain, Dylan Hain, Alex Hain,Kevin Hain, Cassandra Garrigan, Madeline Garrigan, Colleen Garrigan and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Mountainside, NJ on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 11:00 AM.

Contributions in George's name may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Street, Suite-300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

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