Couple’s estate endows scholarships for colleges

FAIRFIELD – A couple described by a friend as hardworking and thrifty have left a generous legacy for students attending community colleges in Fairfield and South Portland.

The estate of Al and Eleanor George of Mount Vernon will provide $211,644 for scholarships at Southern Maine and Kennebec Valley community colleges.

The George endowment is expected to generate about $10,000 in scholarship money annually, split evenly between two colleges.

The couple asked in their will that the money go to community college students enrolled in health care programs that emphasize elder care.

“Al and Eleanor George represent the best of Maine,” Maine Community College System President John Fitzsimmons said. “They spent their entire lives quietly contributing to their community. The endowed scholarship will mean that their legacy of giving will continue forever.”

A lifelong friend described the Georges as thrifty people who never spent money on themselves. Al George died last year and his widow died in May.

Al George, who served during World War II in the Marine Corps, worked as an electrician and electrical inspector for most of his professional life. Eleanor George, a nursery school teacher, often volunteered for local causes.

Kennebec Valley Community College has 14 endowed scholarships that generate nearly $85,000 annually. This money is paired with federal grants in the financial aid package mix the college makes available to students.

But the need for financial aid still outweighed the available funds last year by $2.8 million, the college said.

“For this reason, the importance of private gifts cannot be overstated,” said Kennebec Valley Community College President Barbara Woodlee.

Maine Community College System spokeswoman Alice Kirkpatrick said there’s a shortage of financial aid money throughout the seven-campus system.