In Memory of

James Vaccaro '67 said:

After my last post, many memories flooded in. Here are the things I remember about George.
I first met him in 7th grade PE. He was short, but massively built with a large muscular chest and arms. Very strong. Think Steve Reeves.
During our high school years he taught me many things. He was trained In Karate, with hands like stone. I once saw him break through a cement cinder block. Yet those hands went on to achieve a BFA from Columbia. He could sculpt and paint. In fact, the entire walls of his bedroom were painted in a massive seascape, with waves cresting and sea-foam flying! It was beautiful. Wish I had a picture. Later, around the mid 80"s, I visited him in Connecticut. While there, he did a charcoal sketch of my wife Rose. It hangs in our house to this day.
George enjoyed doing different things, like knife throwing and using a bullwhip. He taught me how to throw a knife. With the bullwhip, I would stand about 10 feet away with a cigarette in my mouth. One lash of the whip would send the cigarette flying. We did it many times, it never touched me!
Ever the artist, he vowed to produce a play on Broadway. He wrote a short story about Che Guevarra. Then he actually booked a
upper level suite on Broadway in NYC. He sold tickets between classes at Columbia. The show went on with George in the lead role. The small suite was packed. How many people can say that!
George went on to manage a Recreational Vehicle dealership and was quite successful. Then the accident happened and life changed for George.
Always in my thoughts....

James Vaccaro '67 said:

My good friend since 7th grade.
Taught me many things, from Martial Arts to art itself.
Was in a serious auto accident that left him partially paralyzed and affected his memory.
RIP buddy.