George “Sonny” Tapfer died March 10, 2018 at Peconic Bay Medical Center. He was 86 years old.
He was born in Brooklyn on April 12, 1931 to Gertrude “Mickey” Lehman and Joseph Tapfer.
He served in the Marine Corps honor guard about the aircraft carrier Midway during the Korean war. After serving, he worked at Reeves Brothers Textile Corporation in New York City as the office manager for 41 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing and spent many days surfcasting off the beaches in Montauk. His family said he had a sense of humor and honor that made him respected by all.
Predeceased by his sister Gertrude “Bootzie,” he is survived by Elizbeth “Suzie,” his wife of nearly 60 years, his children Lori and Kenneth ”Skip,” his grandchildren Kaitlyn and Kurt and his brother Philip “Flip.”
The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 15 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck. Interment with U.S. Marine Corps honors will take place on Friday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at Calverton National Cemetery. The procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.