George Sayre VANDELINDER

George Sayre VanDelinder passed away in Boston on March 15, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. Those who knew him understood that the simple facts of his life could never fully capture the depth of his goodness or the warmth with which he touched so many in the Greenfield community. George had a remarkable ability to connect with people from all walks of life and was always the first to offer his help whenever it was needed.

Born in South Charleston, West Virginia, in 1953, he earned a degree in engineering from Virginia Tech and built a career across various industries in Ohio and the Northeast. He lived for many years in Manchester, where he raised his children, Russell and Elizabeth. In 2005 he met the love of his life, Ellen Boyer. Together they moved to Greenfield, where Ellen served as head librarian at the Greenfield Library and George became head of Central Maintenance for the city. Known for his tireless work ethic, he readily tackled complex HVAC systems or simple maintenance tasks alike, viewing every job as equally important.

An avid outdoorsman and animal lover with a particular fondness for dogs and owls, George cherished hiking and camping trips with his son and his brother David. For thirty years he and David planned annual hiking adventures across the country, from the Chihuahuan Desert in Big Bend, Texas, to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He was a skilled builder and salvager, often working alongside his son Russell, a locksmith in Greenfield. Among his proudest projects was the restoration of a 1965 Honda Dream motorcycle. His deep love of music was reflected in his extensive record collection and the playlists inspired by his daughter.

George is survived by his partner, Ellen Boyer; his children, Russell and Elizabeth VanDelinder; his brother, David VanDelinder; his sister, Kristin Menard; and his beloved dog, Annie. Through his example, he showed those around him how to live with respect and compassion for everyone.