Let us not praise famous men. Let’s celebrate someone of the circumstance James Agee was really writing about, a man unknown to the wider world, a man much shaped by his own time and his own place, a man who struggled and endured and became the man many others depended on when things went wrong.
Let’s remember George Condit, a handy man.
George Lafayette Condit III, of Kingstown, died January 27 at the age of 63, after an illness so brief, or so kept to himself, that few of his friends and clients, and they were generally the same, knew he was ill.
There are folks all over Chestertown and beyond, widows, and men of many thumbs, the hapless and the harried, who are wondering what on earth they are going to do without him now he is gone.
George was the man that a woman alone in a snowbound house would call when she couldn’t get out her door. He’d be there soon with shovel and snow-blower.
George was proudest of his carpentry, and he was justified in that. But he was up to anything, leaky roofs, dripping faucets, blown outlets, window replacements, skylight and drywall installations, dog-proofing of fences. Whatever was wanted, he’d tackle.
He didn’t always know right off exactly what to do. But he’d figure it out. He had help.
For George was half of a whole, of what anyone who gave it any thought could see was a love story incomparable for its completeness. Wherever George went there was Pat, his wife. Every job, every errand. Theirs was a 24-hour partnership seven days a week.
Pat anchored his ladder, passed his hammers, spread his tarpaulins, swept up his leavings, fetched what he forgot, and then she praised his work to the customers and the heavens. Legally blind and unable to drive, Pat rode shotgun on practically every search for hardware.
He is survived by her and mourned by her and by everyone else whose homes he made right.
The man completed his final job only a week before his end. He was level on the level.
George, we knew ye.
Melinda Bookwalter says
What a lovely and beautifully written tribute. Thank you John Lang and blessings to Pat.
Trams Hollingsworth says
All who knew George felt lucky that we did. Thank you John Lang for this wonderful tribute.
John & Esther Sprinkle says
A beautiful tribute. We marveled at George’s talents and were completely in awe of George and Pat’s relationship. Our hearts are with Pat.
Retha J. Arrabal says
What a wonderful tribute to George… He and Pat were Liz Donovan’s right hand “folks” and mine too. Always smiling, always willing to help with anything, just as the article said. God bless him! He and Pat were a great team!
Julie Donovan says
George was everything your lovely tribute stated and more. He was a good and gentleman. He and Pat were wonderful to my parents. My mother called him, her first line of defense…. He was so willing to help and a true friend to the Donovans. We will miss him . julie