GRAFTON: George L. “Buddy” MacCallum, 99, passed away December 8, 2021 at Christopher House in Worcester. Born on June 7, 1922 in Hilden, Nova Scotia, Canada, George was a retired electrician who resided for over 70 years in Grafton, Massachusetts.

George leaves his loving wife of 76 years Rosemarie (Fowler) MacCallum,formerly of Grafton and now a resident at Christopher House, his son Wayne and his wife Rita (McGrath) of Grafton,, his daughter Lynne MacCallum Haynes and her husband Jeffrey Haynes of Oakham, and three grandchildren, Jennifer (MacCallum) O’Meara of Whitinsville, Kristina Haynes and Peter Haynes, both of Oakham. He also leaves his goddaughter Kathy Anne (Kowal) Adams and her husband Geoffrey of Acton, along with several nieces and nephews.

George was predeceased by his parents Lillian (Davidson) and Roy MacCallum, his older sisters, Bessie Champman and her husband Jimmy and Hazel Starratt and her husband Arnold, along with his grandson-in-law Benjamin O’Meara.

A lifelong hockey enthusiast, George was born to humble beginnings. He was educated in a one-room schoolhouse in Hilden and he had the same teacher for grades 1 through 8. He matriculated at the Truro Academy, where he received his high school diploma. George served with pride in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. A Wireless Operator/Air Gunner on heavy Halifax bombers, he enlisted in 1940. His plane was shot down during its 13th mission and he parachuted to safety over German-occupied The Netherlands on the night of April 30/May 1, 1943. George spent the last two years of the war as a prisoner of war where he was kept in a series of camps located in present-day Poland and Germany. Many of his fellow POWs remarked that “Buddy” kept their spirits high, as George was an optimistic person. George enjoyed attending POW reunions and he visited Europe during the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.

In 1945, he married Rosemarie and completed a course of study at the Nova Scotia Institute of Technology in Electrical Science. He was a member of IBEW Local 96 and worked for many years at Morse Brothers and Coughlin Contractors, retiring in 1985. George was a Scout Leader of Boy Scout Troop 107 in Grafton and a dedicated member of the Congregational Church of Grafton, serving as a Deacon. George and Rose traveled throughout continental United States and Canada. Additionally, he spent over 20 years as a winter resident in Zephryhills, Florida, where he enjoyed golfing, playing cribbage and shuffle-board, and socializing with other winter snowbirds. Before George and Rose became residents at Christopher House, their grandchildren Kristina and Peter lived with them and assisted with their care.

George was most proud of being a son, brother, husband, father, and a grandfather. He loved his family immensely. His sisters adored their baby brother Buddy his entire life.

Funeral services and burial will be private at the convenience of his family. A book of Memories to share a special message with his family is available online at: [link from Roney Funeral Home to be inserted]

Gifts in George’s memory may be made to the MacCallum Fund of the Massachusetts Outdoor Heritage Foundation, PO Box 47, Westborough, MA 01581 or at https://www.massoutdoorheritage.org/donate.html.