George Burgess Greer, Jr

George Burgess Greer, Jr – 88, Navy Veteran Lieutenant Commander George B. Greer, Jr. USN Ret. passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2023, in his home in St. Augustine, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth, their two daughters Cynthia (Cindy) Greer Cowne and Elizabeth (Lisa) Greer Forrest, five grandchildren – Jake Randoph Cowne, Luke Greer Cowne, James Cameron Forrest, Kate Elizabeth Cowne, and Justin Greer Forrest, and one great-grandson – Jaiden Greer Cowne. George was born on 18 March 1935 in San Pedro, California, the son of George B. Greer and Frances Stevenson Greer. He graduated from Dwight Episcopal High School in Manhattan, NY, and was appointed to the Naval Academy by Congressman Pelly from Seattle, WA. He was married to Elizabeth Africano on January 28th, 1961. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy, Class of 1958, George was commissioned as an Ensign and served two years in the engineering department of USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD729). This was followed by assignments on the Amphibious ship USS Merrick (AKA 97) as Communications Officer, First Lieutenant on the USS Mountrail (APA 213), Operations Officer at US Southern Command in Panama Canal Zone, and Chief Engineer on the USS Canberra (CLG-8). This was followed by duty on several Joint and Navy Staffs involved in the Vietnam Conflict. He was awarded the Vietnamese Honor Medal and received thirteen awards of the Vietnamese Service Medal. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1978, he joined COMSAT General Corporation where he was involved in the sales and deployment of the first maritime satellite communications systems. This was followed by employment at the American Satellite Corp., building and inter-connecting satellite earth stations for military commands. Final retirement found George mentoring troubled youth in the elementary schools; as a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrews, building ramps for handicapped people; working one evening a week at a homeless shelter, and volunteering at the local hospital. In their spare time, he and his beloved wife Betsy traveled extensively, visiting most of the European countries, southern Africa, almost all of South America, and the Caribbean, along with numerous road trips up US 95 to spend treasured time with their grandchildren and daughters in Virginia and Maryland. In addition to a lifetime of service to God, his country, and family, George’s greatest gift was his ability to make people smile and laugh. One couldn’t help but feel his immense joy of life when near him. George never knew a stranger – only a friend he had not met. When greeted with, “It’s good to see you, George”, his heartfelt reply was always, “It’s good to be seen”. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2023, at Trinity Parish Episcopal Church at 215 St. George Street, Saint Augustine, FL 32084. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, TBA. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Trinity Parish – North Campus, or a charity of your choice.

George Burgess Greer, Jr

March 18, 1935 - August 12, 2023