Brewster, MA – George H. McElhiney, Jr., business owner, veteran, pilot, and most importantly a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and faithful Christian, has peacefully passed away in his home at the age of 90 with his daughters by his side. He was predeceased by his wife Leona A. (Carll) McElhiney.
Born in Watertown, MA on December 17, 1934 to George Sr. and Helen (Schoepfer), his life covered nearly 91 years of history from the onset of WWII through the technical revolution.
Growing up in Watertown, MA alongside his three siblings, Deanne Horte, her husband Skip, Robert McElhiney and Joann Carr, George enjoyed a wonderful childhood. At 17, he entered the military and served his country proudly in Newfoundland, and Mitchell Air Force Base. He then enrolled at Boston University under the GI Bill. It was there he met and married his beautiful wife of 63 years, Leona “Lee” (Carll), whom he often lovingly referred to as “Pet”. They moved their young family to Amherst, MA where he began and grew Habitat Post and Beam, a successful building business which is still in operation today. The family enjoyed many years visiting Marco Island, skiing at Berkshire East, and traveling the world to all of the places they wanted to see, finally retiring to Brewster, MA, where he became a grandfather affectionately known as “Bee”.
He always treated everyone he met with kindness, remained humble and became a mentor to many who would seek his guidance.
He is survived by his daughters: Heidi Govoni and her husband Joeseph of Yarmouth Port and Melissa Bochicchio and her husband Gregory, of Orleans. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Samantha Govoni-Roderick and her husband Adam, Joelle Govoni, Michael Govoni and his wife Amanda, Courtney Brewer and her husband Christopher and Zachary Bochicchio, his great grandchildren: Mallory, Jameson, Lucas, Charlie and in less than 24 hours after his passing, his newest great grandchild Eleanor Lee entered the world.
“His lord said unto him, well done, thou good and faithful servant.”
Friends and relatives are invited to a memorial service at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 11:30 A.M.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes