GEORGE F. HELFENSTEIN
George Francis Helfenstein passed away after a prolonged illness on June 13, 2016 in Arlington, VA surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 13, 1930 in Brooklyn, NY, the second of five children of Austin and Virginia Helfenstein. He attended Notre Dame University on a track scholarship and graduated in 1953 with a B.S. in Commerce. He attended his last Notre Dame game in 2014 with his sons-in-law and grandsons as they took on Navy – thank goodness Notre Dame won! After college he joined the Army at the end of the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1955. He married his beloved wife Margaret Walshe in 1961 and they had three daughters. He had an enriching career working at the Central Intelligence Agency, then at ITT as a Human Resource Executive in Belgium, New York, and Virginia, and finally opening his own consulting business, G.F. Helfenstein & Associates in 1985. Though he enjoyed his work, George’s true passion was his family and friends, he was a consummate storyteller with an infectious laugh and smile.
George is survived by his three beloved daughters, Carolin Helfenstein of Warrenton, VA; Dorothy (Chris Johnson) Helfenstein of Arlington, VA; and Virginia (Chris) Rocke of Richmond, VA and four doted on grandchildren, Margaret (Maggie) Rocke, Dalton Rocke, Riley Johnson, and Tyler Johnson. In addition to his children he is survived by his sister-in-law D. Lee Walshe of Richmond, VA and numerous nieces and nephews to include David (Deb) Brunner of Charleston, SC; Kathleen Dully of Jacksonville, FL; Ann (Stan) Borowiec of Summit, NJ; Margaret Long of Midlothian, VA; David Dully of Jacksonville, FL; and their much loved children. He is proceeded in death by his beloved wife Margaret; his parents Austin and Virginia Helfenstein; his sisters Bernadette Helfenstein and Mercedes Brunner; his brother-in-law George Brunner; and many treasured friends.
Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Blvd. West, Silver Spring, MD 20901 (valet parking will be available) on Thursday, June 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. or 7 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at The Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, 3630 Quesada St., NW, Washington, DC, 20015, on Friday June 17 at 11am. Internment immediately following the ceremony will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery 13801 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20906. A reception following the services will start at 1:30pm at Army Navy Country Club, 1700 Army Navy Dr., Arlington, VA, 22202. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in his memory to the Richmond ARC, www.richmondarc.com.