George was born in Philadelphia and finished his formal schooling at the Drexel Institute of Technology in 1938. During his school years he participated in just about every sport known to man including equestrian jumping. He also learned to fly during this period and obtained his private pilot's license. Following graduation he went to work for Braceland Brothers-the family printing business started by his father and an uncle.

 In 1942 he was drafted into the Army Air Corps and received his technical training as a Geodetic Computations Specialist. While receiving this training he rose in rank from Private to buck Sergeant in just two months. During his three and a half years in the Service, he was assigned operationally to the 7th Geodetic Control Squadron whose missions were to establish surveyed ground control for aerial photography and compile maps using the collected imagery. His most memorable deployment was a nine-month stint in Chile in 1945. There, in addition to his computational duties in Santiago, he also served as an astronomic observer at remote ground sites. Because of his skill at playing bridge, he was frequently asked to play with three Chilean General Officers and a former President of Peru. Also serving with the 7th at that time was George's brother, William, who is a member of the AFPMA. His devotion to physical fitness continued during his Service years and he won a "Most Physically Fit Soldier" competition at Tampa in 1944. George separated from the Service in 1946.

 He returned to the family business after his separation from the Army. He eventually took over the company and under his leadership it grew from a 10 person, one location business into one of 500 people at five locations throughout the U.S. He sold the business in 2002.

 At age 50, a friend introduced him to the Amateur Athletic Union's (AAU) Masters Track & Field Program. This rekindled his competitive urges and he immediately began training. His first competition was a Boston Marathon, and he continues competition in a variety of events and venues to this day. In his 40 years in this program he has competed in Masters' events all over the world, and the multitude of awards mentioned previously have resulted. His proudest moment came when he was inducted into the USA Track & Field Masters Hall of Fame in 2001. He has a beautiful commemorative wall plaque with his bust on it hanging right above our trophy in his entry hall.

 George has macular degeneration, which severally limits his sight, but this hasn't slowed him down. Almost daily he walks one and one-half miles to a gym. He works out for three hours and then walks home. He swims in his competition-sized pool and jumps on the sunken trampoline which are both located in his backyard. To relax on Sundays he has a personal trainer supervise his workout in the extensive gym located in his basement. If physical fitness equates to longevity, the younger members of the "Oldest" Club may have trouble wresting the trophy away from George anytime soon!

© 2005-AFPMA, and Aerial Survey and Photomapping History