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STEVEN HAYDEN GEORGE

April 17, 1952-Feb. 15, 2019

Steve passed away on Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, after a brief stay at Riverside Regional Medical Center. Steve was a person who never let life happen to him but was a person who was always out in front pursuing one adventure after another. Always looking for adventure, Steve was an avid surfer in his youth and young adulthood. Baltimore and Ocean City, Maryland, were the places he called home until 1977. That’s when he started the first of many lives lived to the full. He joined a company called “Caribe Salvage” and moved down to the Dominican Republic to pursue his love of the sea and water as a Treasure Diver on the Quicksilver Galleons. The treasure salvaged from these Spanish Galleons was featured in the National Geographic “Mysteries of the Sea.” He learned to speak Spanish and met his wife of 37 years, Jenny George, on the island. They lived and worked there until 1985 when they both returned to the United States.

So began the second of his adventurous lives. He got a job in 1986 at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). His love of the water and knowledge of boats gained him a job as first mate on the R/V John Smith and Bay Eagle. He made many lifelong friends here as he had in his previous career. He worked on trawl surveys with a variety of researchers until 1991.

So began his third career in the film and television business. Steve started as a stunt diver on the “Abyss” where his diving skills as a treasure diver enabled him to be a stunt double for one of the characters. He went on to work on several shows as a set decorator, prop assistant, and honed his craft and passion for props under the mentorship of notable Prop Masters until he achieved this status himself. He was Prop Master on many well-known film and TV series such as Havana, Sommersby, Runaway Bride, Veep, and John Adams. These are just a few among more than 44 shows he worked on over more than 25 years in the entertainment business. He again made many lifelong friends and helped young beginners in the business along the way. He loved working on historical shows including many featuring the history of Native Americans, the Civil War (Gods and Generals) and the Revolutionary War. He was an avid reader of history, and his final show “Harriet” (Harriet Tubman) was one of his favorite shows working with outstanding people (director, actors, art department) and close friends (the crew and his team) here in Virginia. Although a tough prop movie, he felt this was his best work.

And so, Steve is now on a new and final adventure. Preceding Steve on this new adventure was his father and best friend, Robert Beale George, and beloved grandmother, Olive Marie Henzler Burnside.

He leaves behind his wife, Indrani “Jenny” George; son, Logan Hayden George; mother, Harriett George, and brother, Robert George, niece, Jenny George, and nephew, Robert T. George and wife Katie. He also leaves behind a host of cousins (Georges, Burdettes, and Laytons) and their families—all of whom will miss him greatly.

Finally, Steve will best be remembered as a great son, great brother, great husband, great father (most of all) and a true friend to many.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019, at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made in Steve’s name to Riverside Hospice Program who took such caring and compassionate care of Steve.

Andrews Funeral Home & Crematory, Gloucester, is in charge of arrangements.