Obituary of George Reaske

George Daniel Reaske passed away on August 27, 2010 at the age of 84. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years Virginia "Ginny" Reaske of Warminister, PA and his children: Jane Evelyn Ward of Southampton, PA, David Reaske and Carol Horton of Homer NY, Peter and Liz Reaske of Chantilly VA and Beth and John Verhoeven of Windham NY. His grandchildren Stephen Ward and his fiancee Tina Wood of Southampton, Trevor Reaske and Ryan Reaske of Chantilly VA, Jack George Verhoeven and Hanna Verhoeven of Windham NY, many nieces and nephews including Gray and Rose Winslow, his sister in law Ellie Jones of Ithaca NY and many dear friends from both Long Island and Warminster including Millie and Ship Norton. Preceded in death by his parents George K and Dorothy Thom Reaske.

Born July 19, 1926 in Bayside, Long Island, New York, he served in World War II in the Navy, attended Farmingdale College and studied horticulture and floristry. He married Virginia Mary Gray in 1950 and purchased an 1889 farmhouse that he called "The Homestead", where he raised a family, spent many happy hours creating and tending his gardens and operated Homestead Landscaping there with his partner Ed Palmer for 40 years. He was very active in his children's lives as a Little League Umpire and a Scout Master. he retired and in 2007 moved with wife Ginny to Ann's Choice Retirement Community in Warminister, PA where he joined the Garden and Bocce Clubs and "The From Here to Eternity" PokerClub where he earned the nickname "Nickel George". He was a member for many years of the Huntington/Cold Spring Harbor United Methodist Church in Huntington Long Island serving in many volunteer roles including usher and was a recent member of the St. John's United Methodist Church in Ivyland. He loved his work and he loved his garden...particularly his flowers. His gardens brought him joy his entire life.

He was an avid square dancer with the Star Thru Squares on Long Island, dancing all over the United States and around the world with his square dance caller wife - Ginny. He loved to watch her perform, he was so proud of her. Ginny was his joy, the love of his life and his best friend. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this last February with their family around them.

George Daniel Reaske will be remembered for his honesty and sense of fairness, his hard work ethic, his stubborness, his sense of humor, his passion for his work, his strong love of family and his devotion to his wife Ginny. He gave all of his children, grandchildren and friends a role model to live by as a man, husband, parent, friend and member of the community. He will be remembered and missed by us all.

Relatives and friends will be received on Friday September 10th from 12:00 Noon at St. John's United Methodist Church, 820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974 where a celebration of his life will take place at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made in his name to Ann's Choice Benevolent Care Fund, 20000 Ann's Choice Way, Warminster, PA 18974.