George B. Mahnke

March 15, 1932 - February 26, 2017

COLEBROOK – George B. Mahnke, 84, of Colebrook, passed away at his home on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2017, after many months of declining health. Born in West Babylon, Long Island, New York, on March 15, 1932, he was the son of the late William and Therese (Bennett) Mahnke. He was raised on Long Island and moved to Maine with his family during his high school years where he met his future wife, Margaret Fletcher. George was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the signals corps during the Korean conflict. For many years, George was the chief engineer for the Ex-Lax Company in Brooklyn, NY. He was instrumental in the construction of their new facility in Puerto Rico, as well. When the company moved to Puerto Rico, the Mahnke family moved to Colebrook where George began to drive school bus for the Nugent Motor Co., and working in the housekeeping and maintenance department at The Balsams, eventually retiring again as the laundry department manager after several years of service. He was an avid reader and devoted fan of John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe movies; George was proud to have met them both at one time. He was a life member of the NRA and member of several other shooting organizations, and enjoyed all forms of shooting sports, re-loading and repairing firearms. He was a member of the VFW, and was a very self-educated man who could fix almost anything. He was a passionate gardener, of both vegetables and flowers, and for many years sold his produce to the local stores and restaurants. George was also a strong supporter of law enforcement and was a member of the Law Enforcement Alliance. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Mahnke, of Colebrook; two sons, Bennett Mahnke and Karl Mahnke of Colebrook; two daughters, Valerie Mahnke and companion Gary Jobes of Pittsburg, and Lisa Vashaw and husband Robert of Colebrook; one granddaughter, Leela Buffington of Canaan, Vt.; a brother, Ernest Mahnke of Nevada; and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Steve, in 1986, and a daughter Cheryl Cavanaugh in 2016; as well as five sisters. There will be no public calling hours. Interment with military honors will occur in the spring in the Colebrook Village Cemetery of which notice will be given. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Mahnke may be made to the NRA, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030; or online at www.nra.org. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.