George Joseph Parness

George Joseph Parness July 23, 1925 - November 28, 2015 Myrtle Beach George Joseph Parness, 90 years of age, resided at Covenant Towers in Myrtle Beach, SC passed away quietly with his family on the morning of November 28th 2015 from a recent injury, but more so of a broken heart from the loss of his wife and friend of over 60 years of marriage, his wife June. George was born July 23, 1925 in Brooklyn, NY. A son of two immigrants, George was a first generation American. On December 7th 1941 the bombing of Pearl Harbor triggered the United States to become active and WWII began. Within days young patriot George was only 16 years old and wanted to get into the fight. He forged his birth certificate and joined the US Navy. After a quick boot camp he was ordered to report to Navy Destroyer the USS Nicholson, and subsequently also served aboard the USS LeHardy, the USS President Hayes, the USS Phelps, and the USS Randall. After VJ day and the end of WWII George returned home only to eventually reenlist and head to the Korean Conflict. He served aboard many ships to include the USS Achernar. His entire service involved him in battles that ranged from the North Atlantic to the entire Pacific, and subsequently he traveled the world. After returning from war George met his wife June and on February 12th, 1954 they married. George learned the newspaper business and went on to work in Rockland County at The Journal News, and the Ramapo Valley Independent in various positions to include Linotype Operator. George then joined the International Typographical Union and went to work at the Newark Evening News and The Star Ledger while also serving as Union Delegate, as well as other positions within the Union. In 1976 George and his partner Bob Rogers opened a small printing company in Tallman and then Suffern, NY. Pronto Press as it was well known, was last in business on Lafayette Avenue in Suffern and was sold in 1997. During this time George served in many capacities to include President of the Suffern Chamber of Commerce, President of the Suffern Lions Club, and President of the Suffern Rotary Club, and active in many service and military organizations to include the Elks Lodge, Moose Lodge, VFW Posts and American Legions in both NY & SC. In April 1989 George Parness was elected Mayor of Suffern, NY and served 5 terms in this capacity. Some of George's greatest achievements were during these times. George also went on to be elected to the Rockland County Legislature where he served 2 terms as a County Legislator. George has been honored for his political service by many to include the US Military, NY State Governor George Pataki, the US Congress, and numerous NY State and Rockland County Legislators as well the naming of the Village of Suffern Community Center in his honor by the Village of Suffern Mayor and Trustees. After the sale of Pronto Press, and the expiration of his terms of elected office George and June retired in Myrtle Beach with their sons Andrew and Adam, and his grandchildren respectively. George continued to stay active in Myrtle Beach and Horry County politics and volunteered in several positions within the Horry County Republican Party, the Waccamaw Republican Club of Conway, SC and the South Strand Republican Club of Surfside Beach, SC to name a few. George is survived by his son and wife Andrew and Dorothy Parness, and son Adam J. Parness and April M. Rowe of WV. Five Grandchildren: Abigail and husband Gene Edwards, Benjamin and wife Courtney Parness, and Lauren & Cody Thompson, Brothers Derrick J Parness & Matthew K Parness. Three Great-grandchildren: Trevor & Kelsey Edwards and Connor Parness all of Myrtle Beach, SC. George will be missed sorely by family and friends and spent his entire life in improving others' lives. Funeral services will be at 1 o'clock Saturday afternoon, December 5th, 2015 at McMillian – Small Funeral Home, 901 67th Avenue North and Highway 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach, SC 29572 843.449.3396, immediately followed by a graveside burial at Hillcrest Cemetery on Hwy. 544, Conway, SC $(document).ready(function(){ });

George Joseph Parness

July 23, 2025 - November 28, 2015