George Croney Kiefer Jr.

SALISBURY — George Croney Kiefer Jr., 96, died on the evening of Feb. 10, 2018, at home with his family. 

He was born on Dec. 15, 1921, in Hamden, Conn., the only son of Hazel(Nesbit)and George C. Kiefer and brother to his older sister, Jean Otis.

George attended Hamden Hall and the Salisbury School. He received a master’s degree in forestry from Duke University. In 1942, he interrupted his studies to serve in the Navy during World War II. He was a second lieutenant in the Pacific Theater before returning to Duke to finish his degree. 

George moved to Salisbury in 1949 and bought a farm on Selleck Hill in 1955. There he lived a long and rich life for the better part of a century. He was a forester by trade, and a true naturalist with a passion for agriculture and land. He served on the Board of Selectmen, the Planning and Zoning Commission and as town tree warden for more than 40 years. He was an active member of the Housatonic River Commission. He was a volunteer at the Salisbury Winter Sports Association for six decades. He was a cross-country skiing and rowing coach, and also worked as a land title researcher. He tapped maple trees, raised cows, cut hay and harvested wood. He grew Christmas trees on his land. He cleared brush, cut down trees and rejuvenated the pastures by hand.

George was a hard worker, and loved to work. Even his children found it difficult to keep up with him in the field. He took great pride in his forestry skills and found meaning and happiness in the natural world. 

He was an avid birdwatcher from and early age, a cross-country skier, a runner, a rower and a farmer. 

He loved camping, square dancing and woodworking. He carved beautiful birds and spoons in his later years and always had at least one Labrador. 

George loved music, and was prone to break into song at the slightest opportunity.

He was a voracious reader and a constant learner. He was knowledgeable on a vast range of subjects and interested particularly in the timber and iron industries, military history, agriculture, early Americans, Native Americans, ecology, ornithology, geology  and the Northwest Corner. He was well-versed in the use and history of early farm and forestry hand tools. He loved trees above all and kept his kitchen very snug with a woodstove. He believed in simplicity, environmental sustainability and community. 

George was an earnest and delighted friend. He knew how to listen, and drew people from miles around to his kitchen. Visitors would be treated to a long talk and a cup of tea, and perhaps exchange a book for a wooden spoon. The able-bodied might be brought up to the Christmas tree field to learn how to use a scythe. 

George loved to teach and learn, ask questions and be surprised by answers. He also enjoyed a good joke. He was a friend and mentor to the young and old, and a loving father and grandfather.

George is survived by his three children, Katherine, Mathias and Thomas Kiefer; and his six grandchildren, Weston, Hazel, Madison, Ellery, Emerson and Oralye Kiefer. 

He was predeceased by his beloved Charlotte Reid. 

The family will hold a celebration of his life on May 26 at 4 p.m. in the pasture on Selleck Hill where George spent many happy and productive hours. All who loved this remarkable man are encouraged to attend.