George Gorham Palfrey of Duxbury died February 10.  He was 80 years old.  He was the son of the late Dr. Francis Winslow and Lucy Daniel Palfrey. Born and raised in Boston, he spent summers in Duxbury where he was an avid sailor and raced at the Duxbury Yacht Club.  He attended the Dexter School in Brookline, MA and graduated from the Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA.  He then enlisted, serving with the army of occupation in Germany for almost three years.{sidebar id=1}  He attended Harvard College and after a three year accelerated program, graduated with the class of 1951. He married his childhood sweetheart and sailing companion, Martha A. Macdonald and they settled in Duxbury in 1952, spending summers at their cottage on Saquish.  He worked for Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co. and Plymouth Cordage Co. for several years, before joining New England Life, where he was employed for almost 30 years.  He was a vice president, portfolio manager and Chartered Financial Analyst in The Private Placement Division. 

After retirement, he and Martha remained in Duxbury and Saquish, but began wintering in Tarpon Springs, Fl.  He was an active volunteer, serving in various capacities for The Boston Home, Duxbury PTA, Duxbury Art Association, Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, Boy Scouts, Wildlands Trust, Habitat for Humanity, Project Gurnet, Bug Light and various town committees.  George was a dedicated member and enthusiastic volunteer in the Unitarian Universalist Churches in Duxbury and Tarpon Springs.  He loved being on the water and was an accomplished marine artist, favoring historic clipper ships and schooners.  He always found time to tinker with his 20+ boats, in various stages of disrepair.  His happy crew consisted of his wife Martha (Captain), sons John and Peter, their wives, Debbie (children Chris, Emily and Hannah), and Barbara (children, Alex and Sarah).  Daughter Ellen died August 2003. He was the brother of the late Francis W. Palfrey of Hartford, CT and is survived by his sister Virginia H. Hutton of Rye, NY. 

A memorial service is being planned for May in Duxbury.  Contributions in his memory may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Churches of Duxbury or Tarpon Springs, FL.{sidebar id=6}