Obituary

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. May 5,1932, George left this life September 23, 2011. He attended Lehigh University, New York University and served in the U.S. Air Force. Just days after his discharge in New York he met the love of his life and life-partner, Bill Ferguson. They were together 55 years. Moving to Tulsa in 1959, George worked for Shell Oil Company for ten years, becoming a credit supervisor. During that time he served two terms as president of Tulsa Credit and Financial Management Association. When Shell moved the credit division to Houston he chose to stay in Tulsa and soon opened Frame of Mine Gallery, a do-it-yourself frame shop, art/gift gallery. After 26 years he sold the gallery and retired to travel, enjoy his comfortable home, cook for and entertain his many friends and family. Being Italian, George loved to cook and volunteered to cook meals for Aids patients at Our House until it closed. A long time member of Unity Center of Tulsa, he volunteered there in many capacities. He was a “behind-the scenes” supporter of the arts and the Oklahoma Equality Center. George was predeceased by parents, George and Florence Matarazzo, sister, Gladys Walsh, and Bill’s mother, Edith Ferguson Shroff. His many survivors include Bill, niece Karen Davezac, nephews Dr. William Walsh, Christopher Walsh (Brooke), Bill’s brothers and sisters, Kenneth Ferguson (Lydia), Ronald Ferguson (Rosie), Karramae Campbell (Tim), Michelle Shuffield (Rob), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who loved and will miss him dearly. He will always be remembered for his business acumen, his cooking, his generosity, his charming sarcasm and his bombastic humor. He was a man that drank life up like a fine bottle of wine. A celebration service of love, life and sharing will be October 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM, Unity Center of Tulsa, 19th and Boston Ave. In lieu of flowers, friends may make donations to Unity Center of Tulsa, 1830 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119. Death may take away the flesh, but it cannot take away the love and relationships. The lives he touched will always have that.