George L. Hershkowitz |
| Posted 2009-07-18 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ Jan 25, 2006, B9 George L. Hershkowitz, affectionately known as Uncle George, passed away on Monday Jan. 16 after a brief illness. George was born on February 18, 1926 in Congress, Arizona. He got his work ethics early in life by working with his brothers and father in the family gold mine near Congress. George was raised in Wickenburg with his brothers William (Junior), Richard, and Mack Dowdy and his sisters Joyce and Shirley. He graduated from Wickenburg High School during World War II, in 1944. He played on the Wranglers' football team his senior year, a squad coached by Dudley Hancher. In that era, Wickenburg competed against teams from Litchfield Park, Scottsdale and Hayden. George was a member of Wickenburg High School's 1943 state champion six-man football team. All able-bodied men in America during World War II were expected to go into the armed forces, and young George Hershkowitz was no exception. He entered the Navy in October 1944. George's naval service covered 22 months. He served on an assault cargo attack ship, the USS Oglethorpe, and saw duty in the Pacific - at far-flung atolls and islands that included Kwajelin, Guam, the Marshalls and the Philippines, and Saipan. Mustered out in June 1946, he came home to Wickenburg and worked with his brother Junior in the construction business. The two men started Lug & Tug Construction in 1954, a business that continues in operation today. Junior died in September 1987, and his son Willie, George's nephew, now runs the company. The Hershkowitz family has raised cattle for 50 years. They have herds in Wenden and Butler Valley (near Alamo Lake). George took care of the stock, keeping his late-model pickup truck on the road driving to those areas where he pumped water and put out salt blocks for the animals. Shortly before joining Lug & Tug, George (a good boxer in his day) went down to Phoenix in 1953 "on a whim" and competed in the state amateur boxing championships being held there. He won the light heavyweight championship. Still well remembered to this day for his accomplishments as an athlete, George is probably even better remembered for being part of a family that has worked in, and given back to the community for decades. The Hershkowitz family has served big barbecues in Wickenburg at Easter time that have been real community events. The event usually draws between 300 and 400 people. "It's just something we do," George once said. "Thanking people we've done work for, and done business with." George and his wife Lisa visted Uganda for his 75th birthday. George is known there as the oldest man to ever make the Gorilla Trek. George and Lisa were married for over 35 years. George has one son, Phillip Ben who is married to Martha. They have four children, Sarah, Anna, Julie and Mitch. "And they're all damn good athletes," George once said, displaying obvious pride in his grandchildren. Over 800 people attended the services for George held in the Wickenburg Community Center on January 23 with Pastor Ed Wessling officiating. His wife Lisa, son Phillip, sisters Joyce Fields, Shirley Wachter, brother Mack Dowdy and their extended families, would like to thank the Elks Lodge BPOE #2160, the American Legion Post #12, Bashas', Safeway, Anitas and everyone who contributed to the luncheon held after George's service. Donations in George's memory can be made to the Wickenburg Humane Society, P.O. Box 147, Wickenburg, AZ 85358. See Also: Find A Grave |
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