Brockport – September 10, 1925–December 12, 2021
George T. Dunn, a lifelong resident of Brockport, NY, died peacefully of natural causes on December 12, 2021, at the Friendly Home, in Rochester, NY. He was 96. His parents were George R. and Clara (Talbott) Dunn, and he had one older brother, James, a pilot, who died in a noncombat air accident in the UK during WWII. George attended local schools and worked for his father at Dunn’s Funeral Home, until he left Brockport to attend college, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Michigan. He married Betty (Kipf) on August 20, 1949, and moved back to Brockport to join the family furniture business. In 1956, George and his father opened the new building of Dunn’s Furniture, on 115 Main Street, its present location.
George served on the Brockport School Board, was an active sailing member of the Brockport Yacht Club, and enjoyed vacationing abroad with Betty. He also earned his private pilot’s license, a childhood dream. In the late eighties, he toured the US in a motorhome on solo trips and with Betty. Retiring at 75, George transferred ownership to his son John, who continues to run the business that has been in the family over 100 years.
George will be remembered not only for his business skill and hobbies, but also as a man of exceptional insight and kindness. He especially enjoyed conversations with family, good friends and new acquaintances, and had a rare gift for listening and paying close attention to the people and world around him. He was endlessly curious, took continuing education classes, and loved to read.
Predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Betty, George is survived by daughters Carolyn (Brockport, NY) and Julia (San Diego, CA) Dunn; his two sons, Todd (m. Sharon Dalaba) and John (m. Wendy Wilkin) Dunn, all of Spencerport, NY; and six grandchildren: Dena (m. David Milliner) and Laura Emmerson; Erin and Colin Dunn; and James and Kate Dunn. Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 21, 4–7 p.m., at Fowler Funeral Home in Brockport. The burial will take place at a later date, and a memorial celebration of life service for Betty and George at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will be held on Saturday, January 22, at 11 a.m., to be followed by a gathering at the Morgan Manning House. Donations in George’s memory can be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church or the Western Monroe Historical Society Morgan Manning House in Brockport.
