George Vernon Sheffield passed away at the age of 80 on September 1, 2019 after
a long courageous fight with Lewy Body Disease. A resident of Hopewell, NJ for over
50 years, he was born in Paterson, NJ and grew up in Ridgewood and Wyckoff. He
received a Bachelor of Engineering with high honors from Yale University while also
enrolled in a special program in liberal arts. This began his lifetime of developing
extensive broadly based knowledge and interest in many areas.
He then spent 35 years working at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in
fusion energy research. While there he held a number of management positions,
including Head of the Engineering Analysis Division (EAD). It was a unique
organization that he envisioned and created which included several engineering
disciplines. George also authored and published many scientific papers.
Creativity was the center of a number of his activities throughout life. After
retirement he spent much of his time with another very special talent, drawing and
sculpting. His art was a special joy for him and is greatly admired by all who have
seen it.
His love of animals, both domestic and those he had on the farm as well as
the wildlife in the nature surrounding his home, provided him with a lifetime of
enjoyment. For many years he had at least one very devoted dog, often named Petie.
George raised his family to pursue their dreams through hard work, honesty and
integrity. He was a very positive person and used his sharp wit and dry sense of
humor to diffuse even the most difficult situations.
George was loved by all who knew him for his kind, gentle, giving, helpful and
modest nature. It was often stated that anyone who met him sensed immediately
that he was a very good person. He will be greatly missed.
Son of the late Halsey Foote Sheffield and late Doris Amali and his stepmother the
late Suzan Sheffield, he was born on May 8, 1939. He was preceded in death by his
brother Halsey Foote Sheffield, Jr.
George is survived by his loving wife Judith Giarrusso Sheffield, his sons (Andrew,
Eric and David), his stepchildren (Karen Munford and Rick Giarrusso), their spouses
(Wendy, Jennifer, Camille, David and Jean), grandchildren (Andrew, Tom, Ben, and
Alex), step-grandchildren (Cameron, Sophia, and Michael Giarrusso), nephews
(John, Peter and Michael) and their spouses and children.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: Comprehensive Center,
for Brain Health, c/o Dr. James Galvin, 777 Glades Road ME-104, Boca Raton, FL
33431. Arrangements are by the Wilson-Apple Funeral Home, 2560 Pennington Rd,
Pennington. Condolences are welcome at www.wilsonapple.com
George Vernon Sheffield, 80
