George A.Goodridge, of 115 Elm St., Hatfield, passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, at Genesis Elaine Center at Hadley.

He was born Jan. 19, 1928, in Topsfield, the son of Col. George L. Goodridge and Charlotte Mae (Hutchinson) Goodridge. A graduate of Topsfield High School he attended Norwich University and served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in World War II. George graduated in 1952, from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

He was devoted to his family and always ready to help anyone in need. He loved sailing ever since learning as a child on the Cape. He became an avid reader and skilled woodworker during his later years.

George worked for Johns Manville Sales Corp. in the pipe division representing products related to water supply, waste water systems and drainage. He was a member of New England Water Works Association, American Water Works Association, New England and American Waste Water Associations as well as several state and local public works associations. He retired from Johns Manville as district sales manager for Southeast Florida and Bahamas.

He had been a member of UCC, The Washington Masonic #61 Lodge of Manchester, New Hampshire, the Barrington Yacht Club, Rhode Island, and the Boca West Country Club. He was also a member of the former South Deerfield Rotary Club. When living in Whately in the 1970’s he served on the town planning board.

He leaves his wife Joan (Rich) Goodridge; a son George L. Goodridge, II (Class of 1970) of Whately; a daughter Pamela Franklin of Etna, New Hampshire; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister Margaret Matthews of Stuart, Florida.