George Thomas Guevin

George Thomas Guevin, 83, passed away peacefully in his home in Grants Pass, OR on February 20, 2024. 

George was the son of Paul and Gladys Guevin, born on March 13, 1940 in Newport, RI. He attended Bullard Havens Technical School in Bridgeport, CT to prepare for a career in printing. After apprenticing for a couple of years he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served for two years, stationed on the island of Hokkaido in Japan.

He married Helene Nallo in 1965 in Waterbury, CT and they had one daughter, Laura. George had a long career as a printer and manager, working for the Kurt Volk Company in Milford, CT. George also enjoyed woodworking and home improvement projects. He ran several successful businesses in his free time while working a full-time job on the third shift. 

In 1983 he began one of his most ambitious projects, building a colonial saltbox home in Oxford, CT. He labored on the house for several years, doing most of the work himself alongside Helene. It was a beautiful and treasured family home for many years.

In 1996 he and Helene packed their bags and headed west, eventually landing in Grants Pass, OR. George and Helene spent many happy years in Grants Pass, camping and enjoying the wild beauty of Oregon and the Rogue Valley, until her death in May of 2016.

After moving to Oregon, George spent several years managing a team for Silverlock, a laminate manufacturer in Ashland, OR. He “retired” and then developed his own business, TV4RV.com, selling specialty satellite tripods for campers and RVers. He created a successful online business from the ground up, learning how to design and manage his own website along the way. He fulfilled his final order weeks before his death, ensuring his customers were happy even as his life was coming to an end.

George had many hobbies throughout his life, including camping, motorcycle riding, travel and fishing. He enjoyed music and live performances and was a foodie and wine lover. In his (semi) retirement he volunteered in the computer center at his RV park in Casa Grande, providing tech support to friends and fellow campers. He was also active in his local veterans group in Arizona, and helped sponsor southern Oregon’s largest U.S. flag in Grants Pass through his TV4RV business.

In January of 2024, George had a series of seizures while spending the winter with his partner, Kathleen Burks, in Casa Grande, AZ. He was diagnosed with a high-grade glioma (malignant brain tumor). 

George made the decision to travel back to Oregon to make use of the Death with Dignity Act, which was passed into law shortly after his arrival in Oregon in 1997. The last month of his life was both joyful and frustrating, as he learned how much resistance he would come up against while navigating the rules around Death with Dignity. He ultimately made use of the law and passed from this life on his own terms, in his favorite recliner with a beautiful view of the mountains and Rogue Valley.

George leaves behind his partner, Kathleen Burks of Grants Pass, OR and Casa Grande, AZ, his daughter Laura Stotler, son-in-law John and two grandchildren Rowan Helene and Nathaniel Zeke, all of Colebrook, CT. He also leaves behind a younger brother, John Guevin and his wife Elizabeth, of Prospect, CT.

His family would like to thank Sandy Patterson of Grants Pass for her help and support throughout George’s final days. We’d also like to thank the End of Life Choices Oregon (EOLCOR) organization for the immense amount of information and assistance they provided through George’s last few weeks. Volunteers Laurel Miller and Lauren Willis helped make George’s final days comfortable and bearable thanks to their tireless efforts. Finally, we’d like to thank Asante Hospice for their compassion and support for George and his family.

Instead of flowers, donations may be made to End of Life Choices Oregon http://eolcoregon.org

A military service will be held on April 12 at 11 a.m. at Eagle Point National Cemetery, Eagle Point OR. This will be followed by a buffet luncheon at Cynthia's Home Sweet Home, 1038 NW 6th St, Grants Pass.