George R. Van Vliet

George R. Van Vliet, age 88, of Little Falls, NJ passed away peacefully Friday, June 13, 2025, while receiving the loving care and support of the DMAVA Staff, the Valley Hospice Staff and his family.

George was born to Henry and Katherine (Fink) Van Vliet and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Hyde Park, NY having been in the band playing tuba and bass, as well as focusing on Industrial Arts with the Class of 1954. After graduating, he pursued his interest in airplanes, taking flying lessons in Klaverack, NY and obtained his pilots license in the Fall of 1957. He and a few friends were able to come together to own a Piper TriPacer. During this time, he worked on his family’s dairy farm and a local Agway store.

George served in the Army at Ft. Monmouth where he was the Link Trainer, performing training for instrument flight, and part of Flight Operations. He was a noted Marksman and Sharpshooter. He was also able to see a bit of Europe during his time in the Army. He was honorably discharged in 1961. George worked for several Savings and Loan Associations over the years and retired in 1979. He was a Brother Mason and a member of the Little Falls Lodge No.154 F. & A.M. for 58 years, a Noble of Salaam Shriners for 52 years and a member of the Valley of Northern NJ Scottish Rite.

Before leaving the Army, on a weekend leave, his buddy John took him to his hometown and there George met his future wife, Nancy. They were married a year later, almost to the day!  They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last fall. They were blessed with a son Michael and his wife Nancy, a daughter Lori, a granddaughter Rebecca, his loving caregiver Connie, his Gal Friday Daria, Nurses Cynthia and Ronnie, as well as many caregivers over the years. He is also survived by his sister Margaret and her husband I.W., his Koumas Olga and Doris, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and a very dear and supportive Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church Family. He is predeceased by his parents, Henry and Katherine, his sisters Gretchen and Louise and his mother-in-law Mary.

George was a faith-filled family man. Despite having Multiple Sclerosis since his mid-twenties, he approached life with a remarkable sense of striving to do as much as he could, for as long as he could. Several cross-country trips were made with a pop-up camper in tow! He and his wife Nancy enjoyed many years spending winters in Florida with family, friends and while there, attended St. Andrew the First Called Orthodox Church. He accepted the constraints of his limitations, but never complained. Always having a positive outlook and a smile. He will be deeply missed, but always in our hearts.

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In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to one of the organizations below would be greatly appreciated:

Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church

285 French Hill Road

Wayne, NJ 07470

The Valley Hospital Foundation

Please indicate the donation is going to: Hospice Care

4 Valley Health Plaza

Paramus, NJ 07652

National MS Society

P.O. Box 91891

Washington, D.C. 20090-1891

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