George W. Caldwell

December 8, 2016

George W. Caldwell, 87, passed away peacefully December 8 at the Phillip Hulitar Hospice Center in Providence RI. Born in 1929 in the village of Graniteville, town of Johnston to the late William and Ida Caldwell. He was the brother of the late Marjory Tracy and Claire Hopper. He and Rose Mary McGee of Woonsocket married in 1951 and together they raised four sons : William (Virginia) of Cranston, Kevin (Karen)of Mansfield MA, Scott of Lincoln, Christopher (Viola) of W. Warwick and a daughter Tracy (Ares) of East Hartford CT. That same year, after the outbreak of the Korean War in 1951, he was drafted into the U.S. Army to become a medical corpsman in the 110th Regiment, 28th Division stationed in New Ulm, Germany. Ever the patriot, even in declining health, his sons marveled at his ramrod straight back and crisp salute to the flag during the national anthem at Bryant football games!After discharge, he enrolled in Bryant University, and earned a degree in accounting and Finance in 1956. His first job was at American Brass Company in CT. Later, he worked for the City of Woonsocket as accountant and office manager in the water division. In 1962 he joined the Internal Revenue Service in Providence where he became a group manager of revenue officers in the collections division. After retirement he joined the Providence law firm of Arcaro and Reilly as a tax consultant, later founding his own tax consulting office which he maintained until his final retirement. George loved his old village of Graniteville. At the ripe old age of 14 he became a volunteer firefighter with Johnston Hose 2 in Graniteville. It was 1941, and the fire company's older volunteers were being drafted for World War II. George and a few of his young friends were thrilled to step into their boots. His children heard many stories about his adventures as an underage firefighter. In 2013 he was instrumental in organizing the placement of a Korean War Memorial honoring the veterans of that war from the village of Graniteville. He always had a passion for sports, as player, coach, and referee in high school, local semi-pro football teams, adult volleyball leagues, as well as a coach in various youth leagues. He also served on the board of the Woonsocket YMCA, chaired the board of wardens for the former Glendale Fire District in Burrillville, and was an active member of local veterans organizations like the DAV, VFW, and the Korean Veterans in Glocester RI. But his most treasured roll in life started in 1987 when he became Gramp or Bunka to Kyla Caldwell, Conor and Sarah Caldwell, Alex and Maeve Martinez as well as his great granddaughter Madison Sullivan. In 2005 he and Rose brought all of them, plus their parents, on a trip to Ireland to experience the Irish culture, and to see their own beginnings - right down to the remains of the thatched cottage where their great grandmother and her ancestors were born and raised. Above all, George Caldwell was a model for unconditional love and loyalty to his family through good times, and through difficult times. May that legacy go forward. Following his wishes, George was cremated. All services will take place at Swan Point Cemetery in Providence, RI. The family will receive family and friends at the Historic Swan Point Chapel from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday December 16th, followed by a memorial service and interment at 11:00 a.m. A coalition, to which all are welcome, will follow in the Grey Coale Reception Hall at Swan Point. In lieu of flowers, please consider either the RI Community Food Bank or Hope Hospice & Palliative Care of RI.