George Ayres

Carthage - George W. Ayres Jr, 81, of Carthage passed away peacefully on August 14th 2025. Born on September 8,1943, in Chester, NJ to Evelyn & George Ayres Sr., George was a devoted husband, father & grandfather. He quite frequently reminded his loved ones that they were his reason for living. There was never a day that went by that he didn’t tell his children & grandchildren he loved them at least 3 times a day.

A calling hour will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the Lundy Funeral Home, located at 500 State Street in Carthage, NY 13619. A funeral service will be held following the calling hour at 1:00 pm in the Lundy Funeral Home Chapel. 

After graduating from West Morris High School (NJ) in 1962, George served in the United States Coast Guard as a Radarman Third Class from 1962-1968. After serving in the military, he continued his service to our country as a New Jersey State Police Sergeant from 1966-1978. In 1978, he retired from the State Police and moved to Carthage NY where he focused on a career in farming. A few years later, he decided to return to his passion for Law Enforcement with The Fort Drum Federal Police and retired in 2006 after a dedicated 40+ years of service altogether.

In August of 1984, he married Julieann Grupico-Ayres alongside his lifelong friend David & Tony Parks in a dual ceremony in Watertown, NY.

George was an avid hunter. If you ever had the opportunity to visit him, the first thing you would have noticed was his living room that quite literally “roared” with years of hunting adventures that showcased multiple deer heads, a grizzly bear, 2 black bears, a rattle snake and even a large salmon he caught.

George is survived by his daughter Megan Guzman & son-in-law Eric Guzman; his grandchildren JoLeigh, Gabriella & Ryan all of Carthage; his sons, Daniel Ayres of Stanhope, NJ, and Jason Ayres, daughter-in-law Katherine Ayres of Newton, NJ; a sister, Maryann Garrison of Connecticut; and his lifelong best friend, David Parks of Chester, NJ.

He is predeceased in death by his beloved wife, Julieann Ayres; a son, Ryan Ayres; a sister, BettyJane Furman-Ayres; and parents, Evelyn & George Ayres.

Arrangements are with the Lundy Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. located at 500 State Street Carthage, NY 13619. Online condolences in his memory can be made to www.lundyfuneralhome.com