Each of us, given the power of one wish would choose to bring George back to us, even if it were only for a week or a day, or maybe even if it were only for a minute.

I am going to pretend that we all wished hard enough and good enough, and that George is with us.

George, in case it’s only for a minute or two, there are some things which you brought to all of us, for which we never said thank you.

So I would like to thank you now, for all the great squash matches we had with each other and as teammates. After 20 years of trying and coming close, we finally won a state championship in 1992.

Thank you for putting together and teaching a great college course in food and nutrition—you were one of the pioneers, and played to sold out sections most semesters.

Thank you for your smile, and your dapper style. You could face winter without a coat, and most seasons without socks.

Thank you for introducing me and half of the College to Ogunquit.

Thank you for your whimsical imagination that could enthrall a child, give pause to an adult, and humanize us all.

Thanks for teaching me that the little things are really big things, if they come from the heart.

Thanks for sharing your pride in Nicholas and Christos with me; it never seemed boastful, it was always gracious.

Thanks for sharing your insights into professionalism, justice, equity, and most importantly, humor.

Neal Keefe-Feldman — Memorial for George Vagenas