George E. Dalton died at Winthrop University Hospital on Sept. 17, 2002 at the age of 79. He was a Garden City resident for the last 44 years and also maintained a home on Shelter Island.

Mr. Dalton was born in 1923 in Floral Park and spent his childhood there.

He graduated from St. Francis Xavier High School in Manhattan and attended Georgetown University before enlisting in the Army Air Force where he served 3-1/2 years. He attended Syracuse University upon discharge from military Service. After graduation from Syracuse University in 1948, he joined his family's firm, Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Homes, which he managed until his retirement.

He was a member of St. Anne's Church, The Garden City Country Club, Gardiners Bay Country Club, Catholic Cemetery Guild of Brooklyn, Floral Park Knights of Columbus, Floral Park Post American legion, Floral Park Lions Club, Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, Metropolitan Funeral Directors Association where he served as president and the New York State Funeral Directing Association where he also served as president.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dell S. Dalton; son Matthew and his wife Alison of Ferndale, WA; son Timothy J. Dalton of Floral Park; son Christopher and wife Susan of Pride Crossing, MA; and daughter Martha A. Cerasano and husband Mark of Stillwater, NY.

He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Robin, Lane, Emily, Alysa and Timothy J. Dalton, Holly Cerasano and Jason Power.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Sept. 21 at St. Anne's R.C. Church. Interment followed at Our Lady of the Isle Cemetery, Shelter Island.

In his memory, donations to St. Gabriel's Retreat House, P.O. Box 3015, Shelter Island Heights, NY 11965 or Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 212970-0495 will be appreciated.