George M. Ewing ’44

George “Stretch” Ewing, a former newspaper publisher, died Sept. 16, 2009, in Canandaigua, N.Y., at the age of 87.  

A New York City native, he moved from California to purchase Canandaigua’s Daily Messenger in 1959. In 1971, he moved the Daily Messenger to a new building and in 1996 he acquired Rochester-area weekly newspapers, later adding the Gates-Chili Post. After 47 years, he sold the business in 2006. In addition to newspaper publishing, George distinguished himself as a community philanthropist and public benefactor. He and his wife, Marie-Merrill Ewing, also traveled extensively to China and throughout Central America.  

At Princeton, George roomed alone as a freshman, then with Hervey Stockman and Semon Friesell as a sophomore, and with Walter Edgar, George Wadsworth, James Upton, Charles. Schueler, William Moore, Kroger Pettengill, Richard Davis, and Charles Willis as a junior. As seniors, the students were joined by Charles Arnold.  

George was on the freshman football squad, played intramural hockey, was a member of Triangle Club and Cap and Gown Club, and served as co-chairman of the Undergraduate Schools Committee of Orange Key. He served in the Army Air Corps during World War II.

George is survived by two sons, five grandchildren, a sister-in-law, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.