George Edward Bussell

George Edward Bussell was born on Feb. 16, 1927 in Tacoma to Eva and Lionel George Bussell. He died on March 7, 2018.

George was raised in Everett and graduated from Everett High School in 1945.

He attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon where he obtained an undergraduate degree in chemistry. George later obtained a master’s degree in chemistry from Oregon State University and a Doctorate of Education from Columbia University in New York City. George served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1947.

George worked in public education in South Bend, Mercer Island and Bainbridge Island in a career that culminated with serving as high school principal at Bainbridge High School. Subsequently, George worked in hospital administration at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle, retiring in 1990.

In retirement, George and his wife Delores enjoyed traveling to Europe, gardening, volunteering and spending time with family and friends. Retirement also brought more time to pursue longtime interests in coin and stamp collecting, as well as writing and painting classes. George loved living on Bainbridge Island; he served one term as president of the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum.

In addition to his parents, George was predeceased by his brother Lionel and sister Margaret. George is survived by his wife of 63 years Delores and his three children Mike, Karen and Mark; along with grandchildren Stephen, Brian, Rachael, Brittany, Sara, Claire and Meaghan; and great-grandchildren Obadiah, Noelle and Charlie.

A celebration of George’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at the Waterfront Park Community Center.

Donations in George’s memory can be made to the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum or the Bainbridge Island Senior Center.