WORCESTER - George Joseph Stockdale, 81, passed away July 8, 2026, at his home surrounded by family and friends.

He was born September 21, 1944, in Hackensack, New Jersey, the son of John Daniel and Lillian Louise (Strutt) Stockdale. George’s first job was delivering milk at 2:30am with his oldest brother for the family owned business, Stockdale’s Dairy. In 1969 his family moved to Worcester where they bought the Smith Dairy Farm. George worked in the carpet business from 1963 to 2022 as a salesman and installer. Known as “The Carpet Man,” he worked for Samson Decorating and Flooring and later retired from Edwell Rug in Oneonta.

He was a member of the Worcester Fire Department for over 20 years. He was passionate about baseball and the New York Yankees. He also enjoyed playing in a bowling league, where he scored many 299 games, and played in several softball leagues.

He married Roxanne Sperbeck on May 16, 1981, who survives him, along with his children, Dawn (John) Brida, Keith (Kelly) Kinkead, Dawn (Ted) Handy, Joe (Kari) Stockdale, and Savannah (Mark) Jackson; grandchildren, Brianna, Zach, Kyle, Gavin, Devin, Ciara, Maddison, Isaiah, Ella, Koda, Abe, and Easton; one great-grandson Avery; his siblings, Danny, Billy, Cecelia, and Jennifer; many nieces and nephews; and his close friends Roy and Christine Althiser, with whom he looked forward to Wednesday night dinners. George has many other dear friends, too many to name who were always by his side.

He was predeceased by his son, Little Abe Schrull, and his siblings Tommy, Johnny, Bobby, Lillian, JR, and Buster.

A special thank you to the nurses and aides at Helios Care for the compassion given to George and his family.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 13, from 10:00 AM to Noon, with the funeral service commencing at Noon at the Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main St., Worcester. The Reverend Mark Gillian will officiate. Burial will follow at East Worcester Cemetery. The family will be hosting a celebration of life at the Worcester fire department following burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Worcester Cemetery, PO Box 802, East Worcester, NY 12064; Worcester Fire Department, PO Box 430, Worcester, NY 12197; or Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Rd., Oneonta, NY 13820.

Expressions of sympathy may be made online at www.hellerskinnerfh.com.