In memoriam—George E. Aubin, Jr.
Last week, long-time Kettler Brothers Inc. (KBI) employee, former Village Montessori School owner and Village icon George E. Aubin, Jr. passed away peacefully with his wife and family close by. Aubin was a retired United States Navy Veteran who served in World War II.
He leaves his wife, Patricia A. Aubin, his daughters, Linda S. Nyswaner, Laura Kerwin, Diana Bartell, and his son, Michael A. Aubin. He also leaves his sister, Lorraine Doolin of Wakefield, Rhode Island.
George and Patricia graduated from the University of Connecticut in June 1952, and were married shortly thereafter in November 1952. They moved from Rhode Island in 1960 when he was hired by Kettler Brothers Inc. as its service manager. Aubin was later promoted to vice president in charge of special projects during the development of Montgomery Village. He designed the golf course building, some rental townhouses and apartments and several shops in the Village Mall. He also planted many of the trees lining the streets of the Village.
When the original hardware store went out of business, the Aubins took over the shop, turning it into a successful enterprise. In addition to hardware goods, they sold wallpaper, antiques, furniture and dollhouse furniture to many Village residents.
In the mid-1980s, after Patricia finished a degree in education, they designed and built the Village Montessori School just off East Village Avenue; George supervised the construction. This family business was cared for and run by the Aubins for over 25 years before selling it in recent years. George also started several other companies, including C.E.K. Construction, Designer Kitchens and Bath, Green Valley Tree Transporters and Georicia.
A trained architect, George designed and built their home in Goshen, where they have raised their four children and lived many happy years since 1964.
They have called their home "Candlelight Farm" where they also raised Black Angus cattle, sheep, free-range chickens and horses.
George Aubin, Jr. was instrumental in many of the Kettler Brothers’ decisions in the early days of Montgomery Village. After working on many special projects for KBI, he and his wife were instrumental in the education of the many Village residents who attended their family-run school.
Thank you, George, for your contributions to the Montgomery Village community over the last 55 years—you will be missed.