George G. Magdalany

DELMAR –George Gabriel Magdalany, 97, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2014 while staying at Hudson Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Albany. George was born on July 28, 1917 on Washington St. in Manhattan, the son of Gabriel Abdo Magdalani and Mary Vindikji, who had come to the United States from Damascus, Syria, in 1906. In 1922 he moved with his family to Court St. in Brooklyn, and then to 8th St. in Park Slope. George attended public elementary school and junior high school in Brooklyn and on Staten Island, where his family moved to spend springs and summers. He then attended Manual Training High School in Brooklyn where he was an honor student. After high school he attended Brooklyn College and the City College of New York, while he was working for Durex Abrasives and the export division of the 3M Company. George enlisted in the Army in October of 1942, and because of his knowledge of French and Arabic, was ultimately sent to Africa and France as a member of the Criminal Investigative Division of the military police. He attained the rank of Sergeant while serving in Central Europe, Normandy, Rhineland, and Rome-Arno and received the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and WWII Victory Medal. He was discharged from the Army in November of 1945, and in 1946 married Helen Williams Taber. He enrolled in New York University graduating in 1950 from the School of Commerce, Accounting and Finance with a Bachelor of Science degree. He then returned to work at Durex and 3M, and in 1952, went to the Middle East as their representative. While there he was present for the abdication of the Shah of Iran and the deposition of King Farouk of Egypt. In 1959 George went to work for the Union Hardware Co. in Torrington, CT, which later became part of Brunswick Corp., and continued to work at Brunswick until his retirement in 1980. At various times in his life George lived in New York City, New Rochelle, Williston Park, and Cambridge, NY and in Litchfield and Torrington, CT. At the time of his death he was living in Delmar with his daughter, Mara. In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his sister, Margaret Barry of Wappinger Falls; his stepsons, Paul (Lindsey) Taber of Argyle and Richard (Lila) Taber of Jupiter, FL; his grandson, Norman (Tori) Taber of West Chazy; his granddaughter, Cathy (John) Frederick of Rush; great-grandchildren, Zoe and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Taber, and Lindsey and John Frederick; and a number of nieces and nephews along with two feline friends, Zippy and Shadow. He was predeceased by his brothers Albert and John; his sisters Nora, Effie, Rose, and Lillian; his wife Helen; his son Mark; and his granddaughter, Christine Taber. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, October 28th from 4 to 7 pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Kitten Angels, 233 Houseman St., Mayfield, NY 12117.