George C. Sparks, 92, of Bremen and Pensacola, Fla., passed away after a short illness Sept. 6 at the In-patient Covenant Hospice Unit at West Florida Hospital, Pensacola, Fla. He was born in Norwood, Penn., Oct. 23, 1915, the son of George and Katherine (Irving) Sparks. He was married to Hannah Mary (Evans) Sparks for 61 years. He attended Germantown Academy and the Philadelphia School of Fine Arts to pursue his interest in art.
George began his career as a machinist with an interest in designing packages and the machines to produce them. He opened his own paper packaging business, the Sparks Corporation, and was instrumental in designing packages that are still in use today. After many years of managing his own business, he merged his business to become the Executive Vice President of Sauter Sparks Corporation.
He retired to the Damariscotta area in 1970 to further pursue his interest in art. He painted landscapes of the local area and produced note cards for sale in the local gift shops. He then developed an interest in gemstones and earned his certification with the Gemological Institute of America with certification in both diamonds and colored stones.
George was a private pilot, a sailor, an artist, an inventor and a craftsman. He loved walking in the wooded area around his home searching for wildflowers. He was an active member of Mid Coast Friends Meeting for many years.
He is survived by his son, Jared Sparks of Flourtown, Penn.; two daughters, Susan McFarland of Pensacola, Fla. and Deborah Sparks of Orcas Island, Wash.; brother, Donald Sparks of Newtown, Penn.; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Oct. 4 at Mid Coast Friends Meeting, Damariscotta with a reception to follow at the meeting house.
For those who wish, donations may be made in George s memory to Mid Coast Friends Meeting, 77 Belvedere Rd., Damariscotta, ME 04543.
