George E. Bumpus, Jr. ’77 died on December 16, 2023, in Waltham, Massachusetts.
(The following was provided by Joyce Funeral Home in December 16, 2023:)
George E. Bumpus, Jr. ’77
George E. Bumpus Jr., 68, died on Saturday, December 16th, 2023, in his home in Waltham.
George was born August 15th 1955, in Dedham to parents George E. Sr. and Esther L. (Upshall) Bumpus, who loved him dearly for all their years on Earth. George was raised in Dedham, graduated from Dedham High School, and went on to graduate from Bowdoin College where he earned his bachelor’s degree while performing as a star dual-sport athlete in both baseball and hockey. After Bowdoin, he enjoyed a lengthy entrepreneurial career in building and construction, and is responsible for hundreds of homes being built across New England.
George was a man of simple, yet vibrant interests. He loved being on or near the water, and tended to be happiest with a fishing rod in his hand. Sneakily quite bookish, he loved a good adventure book, and would shamelessly plagiarize Clive Cussler works when telling gripping bedtime stories to his five beloved children—tales still discussed with awe and reverence.
A lover of Boston sports and athletics at large, when his children were still in school, he was omnipresent watching, coaching, and following all of their athletic activities. You could always divine exactly where he was in a hockey rink, by the characteristic rapping of his signet ring on the glass when one of his kids was playing.
Despite his many engagements and pursuits, the true passion and focus of his life has been his family, who loved him fiercely, and who he loved ardently, generously, and without condition.
He leaves his five children, George III, Jeffrey, Kirby, Kam, and Ann; the mother of his children, Karen O’Malley; his wife, Gail Koury; and his sisters, Jane Mauro and Peggi Larsen. A gentle man, George loved children and animals, and in his final years was kept close company by his loyal friend Jack, a good dog.
Even as his children mourn his passing, they are comforted by the uncommonly strong bond that they share: a result of the life he gave them, which will forever be his legacy. You can feel his presence still, as they always will, in their shared laughter and enduring love for each other.
To convey a final impression of the man: he was bright-eyed, clever, deeply funny, charming, dashingly handsome, a superb athlete and highly charismatic. He was a man whose presence filled the room, and whose life made an indelible, and relentlessly positive, impression on all those who had the great pleasure of knowing him. He loved the falling snow and a crackling fire, he loved to joke or rewatch a movie for the 20th time; and if you’re reading this, he probably loved you as well.
Family and friends will honor and remember George’s life by gathering to visit in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham, on Saturday, January 20th beginning at 10:30 a.m. followed by his funeral service at 12 noon. Burial will take place in a private ceremony with the family.