George K. Degnon
August 2, 1940 ~ October 9, 2022
George K. Degnon, 82, of McLean, VA died on October 9th, 2022, after a valiant 11-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 2, 1940, in Jersey City, NJ, where he grew up and went to school. George spent 3 years with Trinity Missions in Alabama, studying to become a priest, before deciding he would serve in other ways. He then attended Marist HS in Bayonne and St. Peter’s College in Jersey City, and he was so proud to be a Peacock, especially as he watched the basketball team’s success this year. Following graduation, he went into the Army and was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA, where he was a medic and went to jump school, becoming a jumpmaster.
He married the love of his life, Marge, in 1964. Following his service in the Army he taught HS Latin at Midland Park HS in New Jersey. After a year, he was recruited to join the New Jersey Medical Society followed by 13 years at the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 1979, he and Marge started their own association management company, Degnon Associates, Inc, where he spent several years lobbying for the health and well-being of children and public health. In addition to Marge, his wife of 58 years, he is survived by their four children: George (Kristin) Degnon, Meg (Ray) Gorham, Christine Degnon, and Laura Degnon, and 12 grandchildren: George, Brittney, Garrett and Braeden Degnon; Ryan, Kyle, Mary and Elly Gorham; and Jake, Mackenzie, Zack and Cody Caldwell-Degnon; sisters Rosemary Eng and Joan (Ken) Sheedy; and brother Tom (Rosalin) Degnon, and several nieces and nephews.
George loved his family and had an amazingly strong faith. He also loved boating, fishing, gardening, woodworking, and being by the water. Since the 1980s, George and Marge enjoyed spending time at their second home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. He had a passion for helping others and frequently volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, including spearheading a micro lending program to help break the cycle of poverty. George organized several mission trips to Mississippi and Puerto Rico in the past few years, to help with repairs after devastating hurricanes. He was happiest when he was helping others, always living his motto of “Loving your neighbor is loving God.”
A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 13th, from 5-8pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, Virginia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 14 at 11am, with a reception following at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Trinity Missions (https://trinitymissions.org), St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Good Counsel (https://www.olgcva.org/outreach/svdp), or a charity of your choosing.
He married the love of his life, Marge, in 1964. Following his service in the Army he taught HS Latin at Midland Park HS in New Jersey. After a year, he was recruited to join the New Jersey Medical Society followed by 13 years at the American Academy of Pediatrics. In 1979, he and Marge started their own association management company, Degnon Associates, Inc, where he spent several years lobbying for the health and well-being of children and public health. In addition to Marge, his wife of 58 years, he is survived by their four children: George (Kristin) Degnon, Meg (Ray) Gorham, Christine Degnon, and Laura Degnon, and 12 grandchildren: George, Brittney, Garrett and Braeden Degnon; Ryan, Kyle, Mary and Elly Gorham; and Jake, Mackenzie, Zack and Cody Caldwell-Degnon; sisters Rosemary Eng and Joan (Ken) Sheedy; and brother Tom (Rosalin) Degnon, and several nieces and nephews.
George loved his family and had an amazingly strong faith. He also loved boating, fishing, gardening, woodworking, and being by the water. Since the 1980s, George and Marge enjoyed spending time at their second home in Rehoboth Beach, DE. He had a passion for helping others and frequently volunteered with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, including spearheading a micro lending program to help break the cycle of poverty. George organized several mission trips to Mississippi and Puerto Rico in the past few years, to help with repairs after devastating hurricanes. He was happiest when he was helping others, always living his motto of “Loving your neighbor is loving God.”
A viewing will be held on Thursday, October 13th, from 5-8pm at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, Virginia. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 14 at 11am, with a reception following at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to Trinity Missions (https://trinitymissions.org), St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Good Counsel (https://www.olgcva.org/outreach/svdp), or a charity of your choosing.
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One of the nicest people had the pleasure of knowing and working with Mr. Degnon. While being a Branch Manager, he and his family were always so wonderful. It was my pleasure to know and work with him.
Brenda Tucker
George was one of a kind for sure. I always looked forward to his visits to Rehoboth and hearing what he was involved with at the moment. From woodworking to travel, to a little of everything in between his stories always included serving others. With a twinkle in his eye and a warm smile , we could sit and chat for hours. Ed and I will miss him immensely and send love and prayers to Marge, Chris, Garrett, George and the rest of the Degnon family. With his strong faith, we all know that he is now with God in the place he promised us all. See you on the other side dear George?
George was an inspirational leader. His quiet but determined demeanor was an example to many of us who worked with him over the years. As a leader in one of the organizations so ably served by Degnon Associates, I sought his counsel on many occasions. His capacity for listening intently, with patience, then providing input backed up by examples is a habit to which I strive. His dedication to his family, whom I feel privileged to know, both inspires me and helps me rest more easily, knowing that George made sure that I (and countless grateful colleagues) have other generations of Dagnon’s to rely upon.
Humbly,
Martica “Tica” Hall, PhD
We only need to know Laura and George to appreciate the gifts George Degnon Sr offered to the world and to have faith that his legacy lives. I remember Mr. Degnon as a kind, principled man of integrity. I marvel at the evidence of his love for his family as demonstrated through the leadership of Degnon and Associates. I offer my condolences to his family and my appreciation for his legacy.
I worked with George and his family in one of the societies served by Degnon Associates. George exuded a warm sense of caring which caused us to feel like we were family with George and the other Degnons. George had a sense of quiet peacefulness which was supportive and inspiring to those of us who worked with him. I am grateful to have known him and send my deepest sympathies to the whole family.
Saint Peter’s University is proud to call George a graduate of the Class of ’63. His loyal support and insights have made a true impact on the lives of our students.
It has been a privilege to have known George over the years and I have personally grown because of our friendship. He will certainly live on in the hearts and lives of those he touched. May he rest in peace.
It was a privilege and an an honor for AnCan Foundation to support George GRHS over the past year or so .. and we so wish he had found us sooner.
George was an inspiration in how he lived his life and how he treated his fellow man. Everyone he touched had that same reaction … we are hearing it from his treating doctors as they learn of his passing!
… and Marge – we hope his last hand made anniversary card brought you as much joy to you as it did to us!
May George’s memory always be a blessing
George Degnon was the wind behind many of our sails in our efforts to create a better world for children. He was brilliant, thoughtful, very wise, and calm and steady– with a lot of passion deep inside. He and Marge helped build the APA into a magnificent organization and we will be forever grateful to both George and Marge!
George’s legacy will live on within us all.
Peter and Moira Szilagyi
I am a pediatric endocrinologist who met George when I joined the Board of the Pediatric Endocrine Society which is managed by Degnon. George pulled me aside and we had a walk around the garden where he oriented me on how one can best help the society. He was not only so kind, but a great mentor. His teachings remain part of me and my role now as President of the Pediatric Endocrine Society. Thank you George.
I had the privilege of serving with George on the Mission Partners lay advisory group with Trinity Missions for several years, and always came away amazed by George’s faith and passion for serving others. His reminders to us to “serve the flock” will not be forgotten. Thank you, George!
George was a critical part of Pediatrics for both the AAP -He established the AAP Washington office- and was instrumental in establishing and building the the Academic Pediatric Society
He will be missed.
Errol Alden
George Degnon inspired others in his commitment to serve others. His support of pediatric professional organizations has improved the lives of children and families. With Marge, and now Laura, his legacy
in the pediatric community continues. Wonderful memories that will be cherished.
Tina Cheng
When I joined the St. Vincent DePaul Society approximately ten years ago, George was one of the first persons to greet and welcome me. It didn’t take long before I realized what a dynamic and caring person he was. His heart went out to every caller. He not only assisted them with their immediate needs, but he searched deeper to try to remedy the source of their problems and worked to alleviate their burdens. He was active in trying to remedy generational poverty and provide systemic change. George was not only a true Vincentian, but a loving and caring individual. He possessed a very deep love of God which was manifested in everything he said and did.
George loved his wife and family and spoke often of them in his conversations. I know he will be missed by everybody who loved him and benefited from his loving heart.
Mary Pat Egan
I remember getting to know George at an APPD meeting back in the late 80’s. It was early in my role as a program director. I had been asked to give the talk at the dinner the night before the meeting started. Back then it was a brief talk but I was a nervous wreck. George befriended me and talked me through my state of anxiety and I managed to deliver my message to the supportive and cohesive group of attendees who would become colleagues and friends. As for George, I learned very quickly what a genuine and caring person that he was. I had great respect and admiration for him that only grew over the years. He was a visionary and a leader who worked tirelessly to make the healthcare of children a priority. I am a better person for having known him.
Carol Carraccio
Hello Degnon Family, I send heartfelt condolences to each of you. I have such fond memories of George, of his gentle manner, his kindness and firmness, his vast knowledge of management, and his steady commitment to the workings and wellbeing of the American Psychosomatic Society. Love and support, Paul Mills
I met George when I joined the Society of St. Vincent de Paul 7 years ago. I noticed that George really, really, really cared about every caller that needed help. He delved deep into their lives trying to get to the root of some problem to look for way to make their overall life better. He would look for one thing that he could tweak to improve their finances going forward. He was very good at calling some random business and getting them to make an exception to their rule or donate their services for a certain family. Things that when I tried didn’t work at all. I think it was his compassion and kindness that came through I in every discussion. He was a great example of kindness and compassion and an inspiration to me in that regard. I started working the micro loan program with him to help get it started so that I too could attempt to bridge families out of poverty, the micro loan program that he initiated in our SVdP Conference and grew to include the Diocese. Another thing I will always remember George for is his wine advice. Once when I was at his house for one of our loan meetings he had a bottle of wine to offer attendees. I arrived early and while we waited for the rest of the team, he opened a bottle of wine. He asked me if I use and aerator when I pour wine. I said no and he encouraged me to get one because, he said, it will make a big difference. He then poured me two tasting glasses and had me taste test the aerated compared to the one poured straight from the bottle. It really did make a big difference and I ordered an aerator after that meeting and I have used it ever since. Now when I use my aerator I think Of George. George will be missed by so many. He certainly did everything he could to help to people in need as taught by Jesus. My heart goes out to his family. So sorry for the hole this will leave in your lives.
We are so sorry for the loss of Uncle George. May all your memories of him comfort you during this difficult time. Rest In Peace.
Love,
Michael and Christine Buono
I got to know George through the Academic Pediatric Association (APA). Degnon Associates manages the business of this association, which is composed of more than 1000 general pediatricians. In medical school one of my most memorable professors told us that a DhB was more important than a PhD. DhB stood for decent human being, and George was a DhB par excellence. When we young pediatricians were learning the ropes as APA leaders, he was the adult in the room, gently guiding without being overbearing. George and Marge are well-loved by the pediatricians they worked with in the Academic Pediatric Association. And grief is the price we pay for love.
In gratitude,
Ruth A. Etzel, MD, PhD, FAAP
I met George in the mid to late 1990s (before 1998) when he brought his dad to Cleveland to find his “roots.” George H’s father (George K’s grandfather) was David Degnon, the brother of my great grandmother Mary Degnon Briggs. For the first time, George H met his first cousin and only surviving child of Mary Degnon Briggs. Six of us (George H, George K, Mary Briggs Auble, my mom and dad, and I went out for a very nice dinner. Though the details are not as keen, I recall that George K was just such a nice, gentle, soft spoken, kind, Christian man. And I remember laughing that night. And I was so struck by the fact that he gave his aging dad the gift of time by bringing him to Cleveland. George K and I continued to correspond for a while, exchanging genealogy information and the results of our research. I was just so impressed by him. You know so much better than I what a good and decent man he was and how very lucky you are to have had him as your husband, dad, and grandfather. In time, the initial pain of grief and sorrow will be replaced by the knowledge that he was truly a good person, loved and loving, and the resulting happiness of that knowledge. Again, it will be he who heals you – even from the Great Beyond. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord.
May he rest in peace. And he surely will – for he has lived a life that allows him the peace of eternal life. My sincere sympathy on the passing of this good, good man.
George was so welcoming to us on Thanksgiving. It was clear he loved and cherished his family.
He will be missed by all
Diane and Jack Caldwell
So sad to learn of your loss of this very wonderful person. I am thinking of you at this very sad time. Muriel Wolf
When I became Treasurer of PES back in 2012 it was George who gently and meticulously walked me through every aspect of the PES finances and then some. What was evident to me at the time was the enormous pride he felt in the excellence of the organization he founded and in the guidance and expertise it provided to PES. When I think of George Degnon, I think of what “integrity” means.
Karen Rubin, former PES Treasurer