GEORGE HEARN Obituary

HEARN, George H. Former U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner Former Member of the New York City Council (1957), former Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (1964-1975) and former Executive Vice President of Waterman Steamship Company passed away in his home of recent years in Framingham, Massachusetts. He was 94 years of age. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn on July 4, 1927, he began his career in Admiralty Law after serving in the US Navy during WWII aboard the U.S.S. Iowa. He attended St. Francis College and St. John University Law School where he studied maritime law and became a prominent and well-known expert on domestic and international admiralty law. From 1952-1961, he was a trial lawyer for the firm of Haight, Gardner, Poor, & Havens in New York City. During his term on the New York City Council, George was the Vice Chairman of the successful 'Committee to Elect JFK' resulting in a relocation to Washington, D.C. in 1961. He served in the Kennedy Administration as Counsel to the Civil Aeronautics Board. In 1964, George was appointed Commissioner and then Vice Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and reappointed by Presidents Johnson, Nixon and Ford. In 1975, he became the Maritime Administrator to the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. In 1976, George became the Senior Vice President for Waterman Steamship Company and President of the Port of New York Association. George authored numerous articles on waterborne transportation and lectured at many universities and law schools, and was extremely proud of his leadership roles in 'Fleet Week USA' in 1988, 1989, and 1990. George was Brooklyn's Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1958, NY Foreign Freight Forwarders Man of the Year in 1968, and Man of the Year in 1974 to the Cathedral Club, and was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 2000, he was inducted into the Maritime Hall of Fame at a dinner ceremony at the United Nations. George was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years Cecelia Anne (nee Philbin) in 2010; and by his brothers Fr. Robert Hearn (Oblate of St. Francis), John Henry Hearn, and Harry Hearn. He is survived by his three children Annemarie Cook (Lynndey) of Nesconset, NY, Peggie Fischer (Steve) of Weston, MA, and George H. Hearn, Jr. (Meg) of Savannah, GA. Loving grandfather to Allyson (Jenkins Alphonse), Sarahbeth, Christian, and Demianne Cook and Katie and Michael Fischer. Great-grandfather to Kayden Javelle and Kaleb Elijah. Loving brother of "Molly" Kelliher (Michael) of Manchester, NJ and "Midgie" Fitzgerald (Tom) of Babylon, NY, brother-in-law of Kathleen Hearn of Staten Island, NY; and loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church (75 Parkside Drive, Point Lookout, New York) on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 11:30 am. Donations can be made in George's name to St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. The family would like to express sincere gratitude to all of the Carmelite Sisters, to the staff from MetroWest Hospice and St. Patrick's Manor, and particularly to all of the residents and staff at Carmel Terrace, where he lived happily in his later years. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Charles J. O'Shea Funeral Homes in WANTAGH, NY, www.osheafuneral.com

View the online memorial for George H. HEARN