Glenn George
Obituaries
WG Business owner and philanthropist Glenn George dies
Longtime Willow Glen resident and business owner Glenn George, whom friends and family say always put his philanthropic efforts first, died on April 25. He was 70.
George, born on July 8, 1930, in San Jose, took over a wholesale liquor distributorship named for his father, Joseph George, who started the business, which is located at Meridian and Hamilton avenues. Although George was born in San Francisco, his family moved to San Jose when he was an infant.
In addition to donating wine and spirits to multiple civic functions, George also gave and helped raise money for several South Bay civic and charitable organizations, including the Red Cross, Hope Rehabilitation Services, Camp Fire, Boy Scouts, the American Heart Association, the Diabetes Society and more.
George, who attended Bellarmine College Preparatory, served on that school's board of directors. He donated time and money to San Jose State University, his alma mater. He was also a regent of Santa Clara University.
Friends and family remember George as someone who went out of his way to help people and families in need.
Bert George, one of Glenn's two sons, said the San Jose Rotary Club was nearest to his father's heart, but that he also helped any organization that had to do with children or education. "If he didn't have the money to give, he'd borrow it," said Bert, who now runs the liquor distributorship.
As a philanthropist, Bert said his father was simply following in his grandfather's footsteps.
"He was just one of those people who had a calling, a sense of duty to the community," Bert said. "He believed that whatever you have, you should give it to help others."
George died after a massive stroke. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Bobbe, and three children, Bert George of San Jose, Kevin George of Pismo Beach and Mindy Albers of San Jose. Services were held on April 28, at the First Congregational Church in Willow Glen.
The family requests that any donations be made to the San Jose Rotary Endowment.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
