- Simsbury native George L. Hall took his last ride on his tractor, after his long life of farming, on Saturday, November 15, 2014.
Born August 3, 1927 to the late Joseph L. Hall, Jr. and Mary (Ryan) Hall, George grew up on his family's farm in Simsbury where he lived nearly his entire life, spending his high school days pitching for the baseball team and then the Farmington Valley Baseball league.
Upon graduation in 1945, he joined the U.S. Navy serving as a Y3 for four years prior to his honrable discharge. In 1963 he began farming on Old Farms Road and realizing the effects of pesticides on produce decided he would begin to use organic practices in his fields. George, a 4th generation farmer, became one of the first certified organic farmers in CT in 1979, certifying through NOFA. Widely recognized as a pioneer in organic farming, George influenced and mentored many younger farmers in New England. Last year the American Farmland Trust presented him with its Farmland Preservation Pathfinder Education Leader award in a ceremony at the Connecticut State Capitol. He ensured that the farm remains agricultural land, preserving the land through the Simsbury Land Trust along with an additional parcel of land that he has been farming for many years.
George leaves two sons, George Hall, Jr. of Simsbury, and Brian Hall of Tariffville, and two daughters Nancy Lindstrom of Simsbury and Elizabeth Hall of Tariffville; his grandchildren, Beau and Brooke Lindstrom of Simsbury and George Hall, III of Arizona; sister-in-laws, Thelma Hall and Lorna Hall and many nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Daren Hall and all his family.
George was predeceased by his brothers Joseph L. Hall, III, John Hall, and Edward Hall; a sister Mary Hall; son-in-law, Donald Lindstrom, and his former wife Patricia Hall.
The family would like to thank George's doctors, John Cappadona, Mark Dailey and Arthur Tarantina. And a special thank you to the dedicated staff on the south wing at Avon Healthcare Center for their wonderful care and thoughtfulness to George and his family in his final days.
Friends may call at the Vincent Funeral Home, 80 Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury on Thursday, November 20th, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass of Christen Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 21st, 11:00 AM at. St. Cathereine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Road in West Simsbury. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Bernard's Cemetery in Tariffville.
In lieu of flowers the family has established The George L. Hall Agricultural Scholarship Fund. Please send donations to Simsbury Bank, 981 Hopmeadow Street, P. O. Box 248, Simsbury, CT 06070. Please visit George's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.
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1927 - 2014 (87 years)
