Obituary of George TenEyck

George TenEyck Jr. was born August 24, 1948 to George TenEyck Sr. and Sadie Bell (Drakeford) TenEyck (who both preceded him in death) at Meadowbrook Hospital, East Meadow, New York. George grew up in Westbury, New York and attended Westbury public schools. He proved to be a very industrious child. At the age of eight years old, while his uncles caddied at the local golf course, he would accompany them and get paid for collecting golf balls. Other childhood jobs included selling dandelions, shining shoes and ultimately becoming a caddy himself. With his job as a caddy, George was able to purchase his first vehicle at the age of fifteen. He had to park it and wait until he was old enough to drive to use it. In 1967 he met Sharon Lynn Allen, whom he married the following year. From this union came four daughters, Kimberly, Genia, Lana, and Leslie. George was a devoted husband and father. In August of 1977, he purchased the family home in Hempstead, New York. They remained there for 20 years. Having gained experience as a professional driver, George became a transit operator with Stage Coach Lines, a private bus company serving Nassau County, New York. During his time there he would be the first Black transit operator to drive a bus in the segregated, predominantly white community of Levittown. He also assisted in the training of new drivers and remained there for twenty years. He became a county employee when Nassau County took over privately run bus lines. George retired from the Metropolitan Suburban Bus Authority, also known as MSBA, in February of 1991. In his retirement he drove school buses and worked as a security guard. George’s main interest was current affairs. He avidly read three newspapers and watched two hours of news daily. He was always abreast on anything happening in the world. Although baseball and boxing were his main sports of interest, he could still offer dialogue and jabs regarding any headlining sports news. Children were a source of joy to George. He was known for giving treats and pocket change. As a result, he became a father figure to some and that favorite uncle to most of his nieces and nephews. A humble, meek and unassuming person, George managed to command respect from anyone who got to know him, especially young men. He somehow seemed to gain favor with people and situations. He was not someone that made enemies. George was appreciated for his pearls of wisdom and practical instruction. He could teach you how to fight, how to drive and yet weigh in with sound advice on everyday life. He will always be remembered for his dry humor, practical jokes, playful taunts and, as one niece described, “The smirk before the sarcasm”. George departed this life on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at St. Joseph Hospital, located in Bethpage, New York. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 47 years, Sharon; daughters Kimberly Bethea (Cary), Genia Williams (Frank), Lana TenEyck, and Leslie TenEyck; siblings Rose TenEyck, Eugene Lateef (Michelle), and Alice TenEyck; sister-in-law Michelle Allen; brothers-in-law, Wayne Cisco Sr., Jeffrey Ingram and David Allen; grandchildren Courtney Roker Jr., Brittany Roker, Devin Bethea, Donovan Williams, Julien Bethea, Dominque Best, Kayla Bethea, Cloetel Best, Lore’al Best, Isaiah Williams, Christian Bethea, Justin Bethea, Josiah Williams ; great-grandson Christopher Roker; nieces and nephews Jordan Pierre, Edward Hollie (Stephanie), Cory Hollie, Matthew Hollie, Christeena Hollie, Michelle Cisco, Wayne Cisco Jr., Chervonne Cobb, Buffie Howe (Oniel), Rudolph Gray (Yolanda), Andre Gray, Allen Gray, Brandon Cisco and host of other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.