George Stockwell, longtime resident of Newtown, died on April 19, at the age of 81.

George was born on February 23, 1943, and raised in Monroe by his parents, James and Sylvia. He graduated from Masuk High School and went on to serve in the US Army for two years. After the Army, George returned to Monroe and went to work for Vitramon, where he met Sandra Martin, who would become his wife.

George and Sandi married on September 16, 1967, and settled down in Newtown, where they raised their two children, Peter and Becky, made lifelong friends and became important members of the community.

After graduating from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in education, George began his 33-year teaching career at Sandy Hook Elementary School. George impressed upon everyone who knew him his love of teaching and learning. He was always quick to help a colleague and put in the extra effort to ensure all his students had fun learning.

George retired in 2000 when his first grandchild was born to spend more time with his family and on his hobbies, which included watching his four grandkids, attending sporting events for his grandchildren and volunteering at the Commons where he met many friends.

George is survived by his loving wife, Sandi; children, Peter Stockwell (Jennifer) of Newtown and Becky (Sullivan) of Southbury; grandchildren Brooke, Courtney, Cole and Nicholas; sister, Susan Carroll (Pat) of Southbury; and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces.

George was a humble, kind, loving husband, father, Grampy, friend, teacher and man. To know him was to love him. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org.

The family would like to invite everyone to a Celebration of Life on Sunday, June 9, from 2-5 pm, at Rock Ridge Country Club, 214 Sugar Street in Newtown.