George John Appleby, Jr

On Wednesday, March 20, 2024, George John Appleby, Jr. passed away at Stella Maris Hospice Center. He was 81 years of age.  George was the son of George, Sr and Martha (nee Slovak) Appleby. His sister Dorothy (nee Appleby) and husband John J. Burrell, Jr. preceded him in death. He is survived by a niece Kerry (nee Burrell) and Slawek Figiel, niece Erin Burrell and nephew Bryan and Denise (nee Sheahan) Burrell. He was also Great Uncle to their children Emma Grace, Jack Dennis, and Samuel John Burrell.

George was born in Rockaway, New York and grew up in Latham, NY where He was a graduate of Shaker High School.  Mr. Appleby’s math career began at Albany State Teacher’s College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s degree in math. During his freshman year of college, he joined the Naval Reserve and was then accepted into the Reserve Officer Candidate program. He served three years and went on to be an instructor at the Naval Academy Prep School, located near Port Deposit, MD. There he was drawn to math and discovered his passion for teaching it to others.

A former student, parent and friend, Mr. John Von Paris, added the following. “George was a great teacher, set in his ways and even more respected because of it. He always went out of his way to help his students. He made himself available early in the mornings and after school before practice (giving up his free time) to tutor those who needed help. (I was one of them) He had the ability to take something that was complex and explain it in a way that others could easily understand.

He was very proud of his service in the United States Navy and his time spent at Bainbridge. He shared many of his celestial navigation stories where he used the stars without today’s modern GPS. Those stories further connected George and his students. Because of great teachers like George Appleby, students were well prepared to succeed in college and their life careers”.

In 1972, Mr. George Appleby taught his first math class at John Carroll, and in 2020, he finished his storied career after 48 years as an educator and Patriot. He served as Math Department Chair for 35 years, Senior Class Moderator for 28 years, Director of Scheduling for 30 years and videographer for the Football team for 46 years. Mr. Appleby was a frequent chaperone on student trips to Mexico and Europe during the Easter break. Famous for his Mr. Potato Head collection, Mr. Appleby has been a pillar of The John Carroll School, dedicating his life to our institution.  

Another former student of Mr. Appleby's, Assistant Principal of Student Affairs Jake Hollin '92 says, "George Appleby was a wonderful teacher and dedicated leader in The John Carroll School community. Mr. Appleby challenged his students to meet high expectations and was always right there alongside them, giving support to help them be successful. He went out of his way to help his students and his colleagues. He taught us all much more than Calculus. He taught us the power of grit, determination and perseverance."

John Carroll School was his extended family and George Appleby is why JC is now and will continue to be a very special place. He has touched thousands of lives.

Rest assured; heaven’s math proficiency scores will drastically improve now that George is on board. George will be missed by all.

George always looked forward to his trips north to see his family. He would spend time at his condo playing pinochle and poker with the ladies. He would also go to Saratoga to play the slots and go to the symphony, never forgetting to stop at the buffet before going  home.

Friends and Colleagues are invited to visit the Evans Funeral Chapel, 3 Newport Drive, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 on Tuesday and Wednesday April 2nd and 3rd from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Ignatius Church, 533 E Jarrettsville Road, Forest Hill, Maryland 21050 on Thursday, April 4, at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Latham, New York, next to his parents.

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