Final Salute

George A. Engstrom of East Falmouth, Massachusetts, formerly of Montclair and Essex Fells and retired head of a building contracting firm run by his family for three generations, died on Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, at home following a short illness. He was 81.

Mr. Engstrom was born in 1941 in Montclair to the late Gerald and Elizabeth (Engeman) Engstrom and graduated from Montclair High School in 1959.

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy as a Seabee and was stationed in Brunswick, Maine, and Port Lyautey, Kenitra, Morocco.

After his Navy service, Mr. Engstrom went to work in the family business, Geo. Engstrom, Inc. Building Contractors, which was started by his grandfather, George Engstrom. After 90 years and three generations of Engstroms running the business, he closed it in August 2001 and moved to Falmouth, where he worked for C.H. Newton Builders until his retirement in 2009.

In 1966 Mr. Engstrom married Eleanor Hedman, and they raised their sons, Kurt and Keith, in Essex Fells.

He was an active community member. He was a charter member of the American Society of Home Inspectors. He was an assistant scoutmaster for Upper Montclair Troop 5 for eight years, and was a member of the Commonwealth Club in Upper Montclair.

Mr. Engstrom was a 25-year member of the Montclair Kiwanis Club, serving as president from 1981 to 1982. He also was a 23-year member of the Essex Fells Fire Department, serving as secretary, driver, battalion chief and deputy chief. He served on the Essex Fells Zoning Board.

He loved to play tennis, paddle tennis, bowl, golf, hunt, fish, garden and spend time with family.

Mr. Engstrom is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Eleanor; sons Kurt (Carolyn) of State College, Pennsylvania, and Keith (Nicole) of Falmouth; grandchildren, Tristan, Hunter, Carl, Gavin, Clare and Haylan; brothers, Robert (Nancy) and John (Margaret); sister, Linda Croker; nieces, Karen, Sonja and Lynn, and nephews, Brian and Marty.

Visitation is Thursday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, 475 Main St., Falmouth. Funeral services will be held at the First Congregational Church of Falmouth, 68 Main St., on Friday, Aug. 26, at 10 a.m., with burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Falmouth.