George Leidigh Coleman II

WATERVILLE – George Leidigh Coleman II, 89, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 1, 2023, with his daughters by his side. He was born in Dayton, Ohio Aug. 29, 1933, to John Edward Coleman and Jean MacMicken Coleman.

George grew up in Dayton, Ohio. After graduating from Colonel White High School, he went on to Cornell University where he majored in geology and met his wife Joan Pinckney. After their marriage in 1956 they moved to Lawrence, Kansas, where he attended Kansas University and earned his master’s degree in geology.

George and Joan moved to Waterville in 1963 so he could teach geology as an interim professor. At about the same time the tenured professor returned, the registrar position opened up and he became the registrar of Colby College in 1966, where he served for 40 years until retiring in 2006. At his retirement dinner, he was remembered and revered for his wisdom and steady hand guiding both students and faculty through the maze of Colby requirements, and also for the messiest office at Colby – although he always knew exactly where to put his hands on whatever was needed.

There are so many dimensions to George: husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, birder, musician, sports fanatic, and pun master extraordinaire. He was very involved in his community. Of special note, his involvements included Senior Warden, Lay Reader, and Treasurer at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church; more than 25 years on the Board of the Waterville Opera house; decades of bird counts with local Audubon; and The United Way.

His long involvement in music and performing arts started in high school chorus and drama, and continued throughout his life including the Cornell Glee Club, St. Mark’s Choir, the Occasional Chorale, Ogontz Choral Workshops in New Hampshire, the Popular Opera of Pittsfield, and the Waterville Opera House, where he performed in more than 50 shows.

George had itchy feet, travelling frequently inside and outside the United States and especially loved travelling with family and sharing the people and places he found special. When visiting favorite places, he always wanted to be useful and helped wherever he could, whether it was a daughter’s move or house project, or lobstering and haying while visiting friends in Prince Edward Island, which was an annual trip for more than 45 years.

Predeceased by his parents, John and Jean Coleman and niece Pam, George is survived by his sister Chase; daughters, Sue and husband Tom, Leigh and husband Alan, and Beth and husband Jimmy; grandchildren, Tess and fiancé Fredrik, Caitlin and husband Harold, Austin and fiancé Jamien, Colin and wife Amelia, Ted and wife Elicia, Niklas, and Samantha; great-grandchildren Harold, Minna, Alex, and Alison; nephews Edward and Christopher; niece Peggy; and numerous friends who became family.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Waterville.

Arrangements are under the care of Dan and Scott’s Cremation and Funeral Service 445 Waterville Road, Skowhegan, Maine 04976.

Because George had so many causes that he believed in, remembrance donations may be made to the charity of your choice.