Obituary for George "Corky" Ackley
George “Corky” Ackley, age 64, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, February 7th surrounded by family and loved ones.
George was born on September 25, 1958 in North Hornell in New York, the only child of Donald Ackley and Mathilde (“Tilly” Kling) Ackley. After living briefly in Florida, George spent his childhood and teenage years in Arkport, NY. Growing up he loved music in many forms, playing the trombone, drums, guitar, and singing.
Upon graduation, George studied Ceramic Engineering at Alfred University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1980. He continued his education at the graduate level, and in 1982 earned his Masters of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering.
Over the last three decades, he spoke little of his career, which he began at McGraw-Edison Technical Research center in Franksville Wisconsin. In 1983, he moved to Niagara Falls NY to join the Carborundum Company, a global leader in ceramic and composite technologies. The company’s success originated in its founder’s discovery of silicon carbide (SiC), the world’s first artificially produced mineral. In what appear to be the early stages of their Structural Ceramics Division, George developed new processes for the aqueous-based manufacture of Sintered Alpha SiC products. His findings were published in several industry journal articles, presented at international conferences for Ceramics Engineering, and have been cited hundreds of times in subsequent research about extrusion methods.
With his close friends, George enjoyed croquet tournaments, decorating holiday cookies, hiking, camping, playing tennis, and expanding his knowledge of computers.
After 8 years at Carborundum, George put his career on hold to care for his parents, first losing his mother in 1991, and not long after, his father in 1992. After settling their affairs and considering several entrepreneurial ventures, he largely left his profession behind, turning his engineering skills and problem solver’s mindset toward projects at home.
In 1995, George met Susan Deuel, and they married in 1999. The two enjoyed line dancing and attending concerts. They held season tickets to the Rochester Broadway Theater League. Both avid New York Yankees fans, George and Sue frequently traveled to see the team play out of town. In marrying Sue, George “inherited” the Deuel’s Corners family and all the life events that came with it. He also stayed connected to ceramics, albeit in a different way, through Sue’s studio which consequently inducted him into the close-knit community of York, NY.
George was an active volunteer for many organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the York United Presbyterian Church, where he supported church events and fundraisers, served as an advisor to the Youth Group, and chaperoned mission trips. George’s love for music continued for most of his life; he sang with local choir groups, and occasionally played guitar.
His friend Kirk described him as “one of the most caring individuals I have ever known – if you were fortunate to be allowed to get beyond that granite exterior.”
Much like the cats he loved so dearly, George was a man of opposites: aloof and engaged; curious and biting; stubborn and silly; lazily observant and intellectually agile as he pounced on an unsuspecting victim with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. George kept his friends and family entertained, which more than made up for his unrelenting meticulousness, and the high expectations he had not only of others, but of himself.
He embraced the three “B’s”… bandanas, bacon, and beans - the latter two of which he combined into his famous casserole, which will live on as his legacy, along with our many memories of time shared with him. He will be missed.
George is survived by his wife Sue, stepchildren Skip (Sarah) Weaver, Melissa (James) Vennard, and Chad Israel, eleven grandchildren, brother-in-law David (Celia) Deuel, sister-in-law Mary (Dale) Hopkins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 11am on Thursday February 16, 2023 at York United Presbyterian Church, 2662 Main St. York. Private Interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the York Backpack Program (PO Box 188, York NY 14592) or Livingston County Hospice (c/o Livingston County Health Dept, 2 Murray Hill Drive, Mt. Morris, NY 14510-1619).
George was born on September 25, 1958 in North Hornell in New York, the only child of Donald Ackley and Mathilde (“Tilly” Kling) Ackley. After living briefly in Florida, George spent his childhood and teenage years in Arkport, NY. Growing up he loved music in many forms, playing the trombone, drums, guitar, and singing.
Upon graduation, George studied Ceramic Engineering at Alfred University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1980. He continued his education at the graduate level, and in 1982 earned his Masters of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering.
Over the last three decades, he spoke little of his career, which he began at McGraw-Edison Technical Research center in Franksville Wisconsin. In 1983, he moved to Niagara Falls NY to join the Carborundum Company, a global leader in ceramic and composite technologies. The company’s success originated in its founder’s discovery of silicon carbide (SiC), the world’s first artificially produced mineral. In what appear to be the early stages of their Structural Ceramics Division, George developed new processes for the aqueous-based manufacture of Sintered Alpha SiC products. His findings were published in several industry journal articles, presented at international conferences for Ceramics Engineering, and have been cited hundreds of times in subsequent research about extrusion methods.
With his close friends, George enjoyed croquet tournaments, decorating holiday cookies, hiking, camping, playing tennis, and expanding his knowledge of computers.
After 8 years at Carborundum, George put his career on hold to care for his parents, first losing his mother in 1991, and not long after, his father in 1992. After settling their affairs and considering several entrepreneurial ventures, he largely left his profession behind, turning his engineering skills and problem solver’s mindset toward projects at home.
In 1995, George met Susan Deuel, and they married in 1999. The two enjoyed line dancing and attending concerts. They held season tickets to the Rochester Broadway Theater League. Both avid New York Yankees fans, George and Sue frequently traveled to see the team play out of town. In marrying Sue, George “inherited” the Deuel’s Corners family and all the life events that came with it. He also stayed connected to ceramics, albeit in a different way, through Sue’s studio which consequently inducted him into the close-knit community of York, NY.
George was an active volunteer for many organizations including Habitat for Humanity and the York United Presbyterian Church, where he supported church events and fundraisers, served as an advisor to the Youth Group, and chaperoned mission trips. George’s love for music continued for most of his life; he sang with local choir groups, and occasionally played guitar.
His friend Kirk described him as “one of the most caring individuals I have ever known – if you were fortunate to be allowed to get beyond that granite exterior.”
Much like the cats he loved so dearly, George was a man of opposites: aloof and engaged; curious and biting; stubborn and silly; lazily observant and intellectually agile as he pounced on an unsuspecting victim with his quick wit and dry sense of humor. George kept his friends and family entertained, which more than made up for his unrelenting meticulousness, and the high expectations he had not only of others, but of himself.
He embraced the three “B’s”… bandanas, bacon, and beans - the latter two of which he combined into his famous casserole, which will live on as his legacy, along with our many memories of time shared with him. He will be missed.
George is survived by his wife Sue, stepchildren Skip (Sarah) Weaver, Melissa (James) Vennard, and Chad Israel, eleven grandchildren, brother-in-law David (Celia) Deuel, sister-in-law Mary (Dale) Hopkins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held at 11am on Thursday February 16, 2023 at York United Presbyterian Church, 2662 Main St. York. Private Interment.
In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the York Backpack Program (PO Box 188, York NY 14592) or Livingston County Hospice (c/o Livingston County Health Dept, 2 Murray Hill Drive, Mt. Morris, NY 14510-1619).