George F. Clements, Jr. of Greenwich, CT, and Chatham, Massachusetts passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his three children in the early hours of his 97th birthday, September 24.
Born on September 24, 1925 in Waltham, MA, George grew up in Yarmouth, MA and graduated from Yarmouth high school. He received his B.S in Business and Engineering Administration from M.I.T. after serving 3 years in the US Army Air Force where he was a 2nd Lt., triple rated (Navigator, Radar Observer, Bombardier). He later went on to serve the USAF during the Korean Conflict from 1951-52, 1st Lt. (Navigator-Radar, B-29, Japan-Korea).
George had a long and successful career as an Independent Oil and Gas Producer after cutting his teeth working the oil fields in Wyoming and eventually settling down in New York City. He was the President and founder of both Whitestone Corporation and Whitestone International, Inc, two companies focused on oil and gas production. George served on the boards of-Kirby Corporation, Houston, Texas; the Putnam Trust Company of Greenwich, CT, as well as Barber Oil Corporation.
George recently recalled his luckiest day was the day his wife, Betty M. Clements, accepted his marriage proposal. They were married in New York in 1964, shared three children and spent 55 years together until Betty passed away in 2020. They spent their summers and many holidays in Chatham, MA where George shared his love of Cape Cod and the water with his three children. An avid boater, George had a strong passion for sailboat racing and boating in the Northeast, Bermuda and Europe with his lifelong friends over the years – most notably as the navigator aboard Anitra, the winning boat of the 1959 Fastnet race.
George pursued many personal interests over his lifetime. He traveled around the world many times, bringing home treasures and stories from faraway places. His time with the USAAF ingrained a love for flying which he enjoyed for over 40 years, appreciating the freedom jumping into a small prop plane provided. He was very active in his communities, proudly serving on many non-profit boards, was a member of numerous clubs and had a great passion for hunting upland birds and water fowl. A charismatic man, George cherished his family roots, global friendships, music, and hobbies developed over a lifetime. He will be greatly missed by his family and remembered for his infectious smile, strength, character, and the Clements cocktail hour.
He is survived by his three children, Lisa Clements, George Clements III, and Sallie Clements Squire; son-in-law Jon Squire, and 2 grandchildren, John Squire and Gus Squire.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MSPCA or other animal welfare association or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
A memorial service/celebration of life will be held at a later date.
