George E. Eggleston, managed major construction projects
May 2, 1923 — July 7, 2008
George Elliott Eggleston, retired construction project manager who oversaw some of the region’s major projects for the John W. Cowper Co., died Monday at his home in Alden. He was 85.
Mr. Eggleston was born in Batavia and graduated from Alden Central School.
During World War II, he served in the Navy with the Seabees in the Pacific Theater.
Mr. Eggleston, a 60-year member of the International Brotherhood of Carpenters, worked for the John W. Cowper Co. from 1952 until his retirement in 1982.
He managed more than $100 million in construction projects during those three decades, including M&T Bank, Fleet Bank, Erie Community College City Campus, Tompkins County Hospital, Monroe County Hospital and Upson Hall at Cornell University.
He also was well-known in Alden for his 35-year-old Christmas tree business. In addition, he was a past member of the Alden Zoning Board of Appeals, the Alden Historical Society and the Alden Friends of the Library.
Mr. Eggleston volunteered for Alden Meals on Wheels and Big Bend National Park in Texas.
After his retirement, Mr. Eggleston and his wife logged more than 300,000 miles traveling through the United States, Canada and Mexico in their antique travel trailer.
Mr. Eggleston is survived by his wife of 25 years, the former Harriet Gwin Stratton; a daughter, Sandra Ruffo; a son, Alan; two stepdaughters, Sharon Cole and Debra Stratton; a stepson, Brian Stratton; and a brother, James.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a. m. Friday in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2021 Sandridge Road, Alden.
