George Brett, of Cape Elizabeth and Waterford, Maine, passed away May 15, 2012. He was born in Boston, Mass., March 23, 1923, lived in Brookline, Mass., and attended school there until 1936 when the family moved to Newton, Mass. A graduate of Kimball Union Academy in 1941, he attended Harvard College with the class of 1945 and graduated from Babson College Class of 1948.

In World War II he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and trained as an aerial navigator serving with the Seventh Air Force flying missions over the Philippines, China and Japan. During the Korean Conflict he was recalled and flew his combat tour over North Korea in the Fifteenth Air Force.

In 1954 Mr. Brett was married to the former Virginia Harvey. While they lived in Brookline, Mass., he was active in All Saints Church, serving on the Vestry and as Treasurer for five years. After moving to Waban, Mass., he was active in The Parish of Good Shepherd, again serving on the Vestry and a term as Treasurer.

A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Brett spent most of his working life as a portfolio manager, retiring from the Bank of New England in 1983.

Mr. Brett devoted much time to various charities but most particularly in working for the mentally retarded. He was a cofounder of The Freedman Activity Center at the Fernald School in Waltham, Mass., serving on the Board and as Treasurer, as well as serving as Treasurer of The Fernald League for Retarded Children.

He had many hobbies. With the exception of woodworking he preferred activities out of doors: gardening (as long as it was vegetables) and was an avid fly fisherman. One of his children remarked "you always knew where to find Daddy. If there was open water with a fish in it he would be there.”

In 1986 he moved to Maine permanently when he married Deborah Lombard Farnsworth. They made their home in Cape Elizabeth. He continued activity with local charities, preferring to focus on fundraising. He was a trustee of the Maine College of Art.

Mr. Brett is survived by his wife, Deborah Lombard Brett, his daughter, Nancy Brett of Waterford, and his granddaughter, McKinley Page of Waterford. Mr. Brett is survived also by his three stepchildren, Thomas Farnsworth of Fort Collins, Colo., David Farnsworth of South Royalton, Vt. and Christian Farnsworth of South Portland, Maine, and by seven stepgrandchildren. Mr. Brett was predeceased by his son, George Robert Brett II, in 1979, his first wife, Virginia, in 1984, his stepdaughter Deborah Farnsworth in 2002, and by his daughter, Carolyn Brett, in 2009.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 25, 2012 at St. Albans Church in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The family has requested no flowers. Memorial gifts can be made to charities reflecting Mr. Brett’s strong commitment to care and education of intellectually-disabled children or to a charity of your choice.