George W. Burkle of Narrowsburg, NY passed away on August 9, 2013. He was 88. George W. Burkle was born February 25, 1925 to the late Philip and Theresa Burkle in Glendale, NY. He went into the Army as a medic in the Korean War and came back to the states and went to undertaker school.

He worked for a funeral home in Glendale and realized that this was not his dream.

George came to Narrowsburg in 1949 by train to work for John Baller on Bridge Street, which is now the Narrowsburg Fire Department, as a mechanic and salesperson for the Chevrolet Dealership. He met Ruth Shirley Meyers and they were married in October 1959.

In 1959, George also purchased the Arthur N. Meyers Agency from his father-in-law and it was then called the Burkle & Lander Insurance Agency. On July 11, 1960 George and Shirley had a son, Craig Philip Burkle. In 1970, George bought out Robert Lander from the insurance agency and it became known as the George Burkle Insurance Agency.

In the 1980’s George Burkle purchased the Krongle Agency in Jeffersonville, NY; at this point in time there were three locations: Narrowsburg, Callicoon and Jeffersonville. In 1985 Craig came into the business and still runs the business with his wife Cynthia Burkle. The business is three generations strong.

George was a member of the Narrowsburg Fire Department for 46 years and was president from 1990 to 1992, Tusten Volunteer Ambulance, Tusten Republican Committee chairman, town supervisor from 1996 to 1998, and Knights of Columbus 4th Degree.

George is survived by his son, Craig and wife Cynthia; grandchildren, Brett and fiancé Wendy Reynolds, Kristina and boyfriend Daniel Hillegas and a great-grandson, Treacy Hillegas.

George has now gone to be with his loving wife Ruth Shirley Burkle. They are now dancing their way to the pearly gates of heaven after being apart for 27 years.

Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, August 13 at St. Francis Xavier RC Church, Narrowsburg NY. Father William Scully O.F.M. officiated. Burial followed in the parish cemetery.

Donations can be made to: St. Francis Xavier Church, 151 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY; Tusten Vol. Ambulance Service Inc., P.O. Box 34, Narrowsburg, NY 12764; or Narrowsburg Vol. Fire Dept., 203 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764.