George was born in White Plains, New York in 1924 to George D. Dickie Sr. and Evelyn Husted Dickie along with three siblings, Evelyn, Eleanor and Joseph. He was a graduate of White Plains High School class of 1942.
George enlisted in the Army Air Corp in World War ll attaining the rank of Lieutenant JG. He was the navigator in a B-24 serving with the 461st Bombardment Group of the 15th Air Force operating out of Torretta Field, Cerignola, Italy. He participated in the infamous Ploesti raids bombing Axis oil refineries in Romania. His service earned him the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After the war, George attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY where he founded the RPI chapter of the Acacia Fraternity along with his great friend Bob McCartney. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in aeronautical engineering, continuing his fascination with airplanes and the burgeoning aerospace industry.
George went on to secure employment with the world famous Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Company in East Hartford, CT (later purchased by United Technologies) where he worked until his retirement in the late '80s. Early on, he worked in the research lab wind tunnels testing prototype airframes and jet engines for commercial and military aircraft.
At P&W, he met and married Barbara Linda Jennings of Hamden, CT. in 1952. They moved to Manchester, CT and raised two sons, Scott Weston Dickie and David Barry Dickie. George and Bobby were very active in the Second Congregational Church in Manchester and George eventually became a deacon. He was also involved in the Masons, The United States Power Squadron, the Boy Scouts (with his sons) and the Manchester Symphony Orchestra (with Bobby). He was an avid boater, fisherman, golfer and loved playing poker and billiards.
After retirement, George and Bobby moved to Cape Cod where George's parents had originally retired and both their sons had taken up residence. They built a house on Scorton Creek in East Sandwich, MA. and joined the West Parish Congregational Church in West Barnstable, MA. George was also active in Sandwich town affairs and maintained ties with the RPI Acacia Fraternity and the 461st Bomb Group veterans association. He was editor of the group's newsletter for several years, helping to collect and organize invaluable data on their history and missions.
Bobby passed away in 2000. George married Ann Zylinski in 2002. They enjoyed 7 and a half happy years together during which they moved to the Mayflower Place Retirement Community in West Yarmouth. They had an apartment together there and made many new friends. George kept busy with his various creative projects, home improvements and jigsaw puzzles.
George is survived by his wife Ann, sons Scotty and Dave, granddaughter Sarah and siblings Evie and Joe.
A memorial service will be held at the West Parish Congregational Church in West Barnstable on Friday May 21st, 2010. The service will begin at 11am followed by a reception in the church hall. Those who wish can then proceed to the National Cemetery in Bourne for an interment ceremony with military honor guard at 2pm.