George A. Hawver

George A. Hawver III, 86, of Black River, passed away on February 17, 2026, at Samaritan Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. 

Born on May 31, 1939, in Hudson, NY, George was the son of George A. Hawver II and Dorothy (Crosby) Hawver. He graduated from Hudson High School in 1957, where he was a celebrated basketball player. George was in the United States Army, enlisting on August 26, 1957. He was honorably discharged on August 25, 1959, and he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. 

On November 1, 1964, George married the love of his life, Joan Morey, of Freehold, NY. The couple met while Joan was attending nursing training in Hudson. The couple spent most of their married years in Black River. 

George began his career with the Singer Company, in Hudson. He became manager of the Singer Sewing Center in Olean and later managed stores in Amsterdam and Corning. After relocating to Black River, he managed the Singer store on Court Street in Watertown before opening and operating his own business, the Watertown Sewing Center in the City Center Mall. Over the years, George also worked for Gordon’s Furniture on Court Street, and he owned and operated Sewing Machines and More in the Paddock Arcade. 

George's hobbies included playing the guitar and writing his own songs. He was a longtime member of the YMCA and he often walked on the Black River Trail. For several years, George was also a trustee of the Black River United Methodist Church and he was a board member of the Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library. 

George is survived by his loving wife, Joan; five children, George A. Hawver IV of Black River, Carol A. (Albert-Wojciech) Konopka of Black River, Robert E. Hawver of Florida, Dianne M. Hawver of Lockport, and Mark R. (Nicole) Hawver of Virginia; six grandchildren, Johnathan and Madison Konopka, and Gabrielle, Ethan, Allison, and Scarlet Hawver; and a brother, Charles Hawver of Hudson, NY. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Patricia Wallace. 

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Bruce Funeral Home. In keeping with George’s wishes, he will be cremated and there will be no services at this time. Donations in George’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the Sally Ploof Hunter Memorial Library in Black River. Online condolences may be shared at www.brucefh.com

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