Orlando J. “Lonnie” George, Jr. died Monday at the age of 79.
Former Speaker of the House Orlando J. “Lonnie” George, Jr., passed away has died.
In a news release by Delaware House of Representatives Chief Clerk Richard Puffer, George died on Monday, May 27 at the age of 79.
George, born in Wilmington and a graduate of the University of Delaware, served as a Democrat in the House from 1974 to 1995, representing the 1st District (Wilmington).
He held several roles in the General Assembly, including speaker in the early 1980s, Chair of the Joint Finance Committee and House Minority Leader until he resigned his seat in 1995 to become President of Delaware Technical Community College.
Before joining the House in 1974, George served on the Wilmington City Council and started teaching math at Del Tech in 1969.
A viewing for George is scheduled for Monday, June 3 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Carriage House at Rockwood Park at 4671 Washington Street Extension in Wilmington.
A celebration of his life is scheduled for Thursday, June 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Orlando J. George, Jr. (Wilmington) campus at Del Tech.
U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-Delaware) released following statement on George’s death:
“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Orlando George Jr., known up and down Delaware as Lonnie George. He served Delawareans in many roles: legislatively as a Wilmington City Council Member; as state Representative and Co-Chair of the Joint Finance Committee and Speaker of the House; and then in multiple roles helping Delaware Technical Community College rise to its current prominence, ultimately leading the school as President. You cannot overstate the importance of Lonnie’s impact on DelTech – how he helped the school lift the Delaware economy and reinforce the First State’s workforce. If I knew nothing else of Lonnie, I knew how deeply he loved Delaware and the people in it. His selfless service to our state every day should be a model and inspiration to us all.
While the days ahead will be difficult, I hope memories of Lonnie will help ease some of the pain for his wife, Linda, and four daughters, Melanie, Leana, Natalie, and Oliva. Annie and I will be keeping them in our prayers.”
This story will be updated if new service information becomes available.
Raised in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Jarek earned a B.A. in journalism and a B.A. in political science from Temple University in 2021. After running CNN’s Michael Smerconish’s YouTube channel, Jarek became a reporter for the Bucks County Herald before joining Delaware LIVE News.
Jarek can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at (215) 450-9982. Follow him on Twitter @jarekrutz
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