Greatly loved secretary of the Piha surf club, honorary “uncle” to a generation of surf club boys. A single man, lab assistant at Auckland Uni, George was brought out to the club by member Ronnie Cook, and, despite having no pretentions to being a swimmer or surfer, was instantly hooked. He became a stalwart of the club, the person who people depended on and gave security and continuity to the clubbies of the era. A quiet man, people were shocked when he died.