George Hastings Obituary

George William

Hastings

April 16, 1926

February 15, 2022



The patriarch of our family, our father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed over into Love and Light on February 15, 2022. He was born in Southern California April 16, 1926 to Edla Mae and William Charles Hastings. He was the middle child of his siblings, June, Lillian, Frank, and Barbara.

He was extremely hard working, strong, persistent and self disciplined. The strength of his self will was remarkable. His work began as a young boy, raising rabbits, goats, chickens and grapes on his family's small farm. At seven years old, he began selling magazines, and saved enough money to buy himself a Schwinn bike, and spend a dime to go to the movies and buy a candy bar. He had his own newspaper delivery route, riding 25 miles up Kellogg Hill, delivering the Progress Bulletin.

He joined the Navy in 1943, and served in WWII in the South Pacific on the USS Deede. His ship served as a screening and patrol ship during the assault and capture of the Marianas. His ship patrolled in various islands, drawing fire from the enemy position, to show the destroyer the location of the armaments. One month before the signing of the peace treaty, while escorting hospital ships, they ran out of food, and they had to eat bug infested bread and orange marmalade for 2 weeks. He was honorably discharged after "2 years, 7 months, 27 days".

He married Mary Anne Northrup in 1946, and had 2 children, Rege Hastings, and Jo Anne Hastings Peterson. He built a house with his father for his family in Montclair. He cleared ½ acre of orange grove to build the house, while working the graveyard shift at General Telephone Company. He began at the telephone company, working as a mechanic's helper, making 90 cents per hour. Through his hard work, he worked his way up the ladder, and was Fleet Administrator for Southern California at the time of his retirement.

In 1960, he moved his family to Manhattan Beach, where they were thrilled to live within walking distance of the beach. He taught his family to swim, play baseball, and love the outdoors. During family vacations, he backpacked the entire John Muir trail. He very much enjoyed his trips to Ireland with his friends, and took pride in marching in the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Dublin. In later life, he enjoyed his time with Betty Marty, cooking, and gardening. He could fix anything with spare parts from his garage, and frequently showed his affection for others through his hard work. He wore the handles of his wooden tools smooth with his labors. He moved to Colorado Springs 6 months before the end of his life to be with his family. He ended every conversation, "give everyone a big hug". He leaves behind his 2 children, Rege and Jo Anne, grandchildren Rain Hastings, Buffy and Ben Lenth, Sierra and Kupono McDaniel, Leif Peterson, Wyatt and Vanessa Peterson, great grandchildren, Sequoia Hastings, Lucy, Rose and Grace Lenth, Kamele and Aukai McDaniel, and Theo Peterson.

He was a strong man, exceptionally hard worker, and great provider. He was long lived. Loved his family, food, and traditions. He gave tight squeezes, charmed babies, and had a beautiful singing voice. He was generous, and let us all know that we had a special place in his heart. He has one in ours.