George Woodnorth

George Edward Woodnorth, of Neptune, NJ, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2026 at the age of 99.

George was born November 7, 1926 at 11 Edgewood Place in Maplewood, NJ to Joseph and Helen (Chance) Woodnorth, younger brother to Doris Woodnorth (later Gilbert). He spent summers on the Jersey Shore with his cousins, the Achesons. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1944 where he met lifelong friends. He then enlisted in the United States Navy and was deployed to the Pacific Theater in 1945. Afterwards he graduated from Rutgers University and began his work in Chase Bank where he advanced to VP of Institutional Banking. After 33 years at Chase Bank, he happily retired in 1986.

On New Year’s Eve 1951, George famously met Dorothy Malnati at a party after leaping over a couch to get her attention. They married on December 4, 1954 and lived in East Orange, NJ before moving to Neptune, NJ in 1959. They were blessed by their children James and Carol Woodnorth. George and Dot spent 72 years of laughter and love together. George was steadfastly dedicated to Dot, whom he could happily watch doing something as simple as eating breakfast and comment “Have you ever seen such a beautiful thing?”. In his final months, he often remarked on what a good match they made, as he told her he loved her.

George was a larger than life personality whose quick wit, loud laugh, and joie de vivre took over every room he entered. To him, the greatest stage on earth was the dinner table or a crowded elevator. It’s challenging to show reverence to the worlds’ most irreverent man - George knew life was not to be taken seriously and laughed hardest when the butt of the joke was himself. He was boisterous and impossible to rattle. During one epic argument when accused of being “good for nothing” by Dot, she was reminded by a neighbor, “He’s good at a party”. He had an innate ability to appreciate the character of all people, of all walks of life, for who they were. He often marveled at the people in his life and their accomplishments, especially his granddaughters, nieces, and nephews. He was a competitive game player and thorough troublemaker who spent hours practicing trick shots of nerf basketball, and could be trusted to throw an elbow at an unsuspecting opponent (children included). He could not be trusted however, around a football or anything that could be turned into a projectile.

George was retired for longer than his career and he spent his time well. A lifelong NY Giants fan and season ticket holder, he followed the team across 10 decades at each of their home stadiums starting in 1938 until 2019. Games were family affairs, and he attended over 400 including the 2000 Super Bowl in Tampa Bay, Fl. He was an avid golfer and bridge player, and enthusiastically enjoyed all sports including the Mets and Seton Hall basketball. He was a dedicated member of Presbyterian Church on the Hill in Ocean, NJ,

In 1989, George and Dot purchased a summer home on Lake Champlain in West Addison, VT. This became their adored summer home where they spent 35 years fishing, boating, and swimming on the lake, and going on daily walks with their dogs. They made dear friends with the Grants and many neighbors there, hosting parties and pig roasts full of family, friends, and raucous laughter. They spent long days with family on the porch reading and talking, with even more laughter.

George is deeply treasured by many, and oh, how we hate to see him go.

George was predeceased by his loving parents Joseph and Helen (Chance) Woodnorth; his sister Doris and husband Bertram Gilbert; his sister-in-law Jane Whinham and brother-in-law Bob Whinham; and brother-in-law Peter Malnati.

George is survived by his cherished wife of 72 years Dorothy Woodnorth; devoted children James and Maureen Woodnorth and Carol and Jack Cox; and fortunate granddaughters Alexis Cox and Kristin and Pierce Ryan Jr., as well as his first great-grandchild expected this summer; he’s also survived by sister-in-law Elaine Malnati; He was the beloved Uncle George and honorary grandpa to many - including the Whinhams, the Heubergers, the Pappers, the Schellacks, the Malnatis, the Hennings, the Korotkys, the Woodworths, the Ryans, and more.

The family wishes to share appreciation for the staff of the Wellington Estates and Serenity Hospice for their care and dedication in his final year.

A celebration of life will be held on November 7, 2026 in New Jersey, which would have been George’s 100th birthday. A smaller gathering will be planned in late summer in Vermont for friends and family there. Details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family appreciates donations to the Presbyterian Church on the Hill in Ocean, NJ.

Services are entrusted to Jersey Shore Cremation Service, 43 Taylor Avenue, Manasquan, NJ - JerseyShoreCremation.com