In Memory: George Thayer Alley, Age 89
George T. Alley, 89, died at the McLeod Hospice House on Saturday, September 3, 2022, following a long and fulfilling life.
George was born in Port Chester, NY, and was raised in Rye, NY, the son of the late George and Margaret Alley. He graduated from Rye High School in 1951 where he was president of the student body and participated in football, basketball, and track. He studied Trumpet at the Julliard School of Music, and then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Korean War. Upon discharge, he entered Paul Smith’s College where he was asked to form a band and student chorus, which he led until graduation in 1957 with an Associate degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management. George then transferred to Michigan State University, where he earned his BA Degree in Restaurant and Hotel Management. He later earned a MS degree from Rutgers University in Institutional Management. He was a life member of the VFW and was also elected to the Army and Air Force Exchange Services Board of Directors as one of the civilian representatives.
A creative thinker, entrepreneur, philanthropist and mentor, George followed three careers: music, Restaurant and Hotel Management, and college teaching.
He received numerous awards for his services and accomplishments. In 1993-94, he was elected to Who’s Who Worldwide Business Leaders, limited to those individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievement in their occupation, industry, or profession.
In 2011, the School of Hospitality Business Alumni of Michigan State University presented him with its Lifetime academic achievement. He traveled the world for business and pleasure, and was an artist of note, having earned several awards for his works. He also enjoyed camping and woodworking as hobbies.
In his last years, he made Florence his home, where George served as President of Florence Arts Council 1998-2000, Florence Performing Arts Center Committee Chairman 1999-2001, Florence Symphony Board Member, Planning Committee for Downtown Redevelopment, a member of Florence Rotary Club, a Member of the Committee to represent Florence for All-American City Contests, a volunteer in Education Reading Program at North Vista Elementary and President of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 25 years, Mary Dean Brewer Alley, and their “adopted daughter,” Luz Rodriquez, whom he and Mary Dean shared guardianship; and his brother, Ronald Alley. He is survived by his loving companion of 14 years, Judy Price, of Florence; his son, Michael (Laura) Alley of Rochester, NY; his daughter, Marilyn (Dave) Stephan of Sparks, NV; grandchildren, Nicholas (Liz) Stephan and Taylor (Clay) Eagleton, both of Sparks, NV, and Joey Alley of Rochester, NY; three great-grandchildren, Braxley and Ava Lee Stephan, and Carson Eagleton, all of Sparks, NV; and several nephews in Atlanta, GA.
Funeral mass will be said at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 6, 2022, in St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Florence. Interment will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Rd., Columbia, SC. Services are entrusted to Waters-Powell Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the McLeod Foundation Children’s Hospital Fund, c/o McLeod Foundation, P. O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502.
