Contra Dance Greensboro Grange – George Rettie Memorial – Swang and Caller Nick Boulet

George Rettie III, 69, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. George was born in Gainesville, FL on August 24, 1949, and had been a resident of Greensboro since 1976.

George graduated from Grimsley High School in 1967, then served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years aboard the USS Woodrow Wilson submarine. He had an assortment of jobs throughout his early life: from delivering newspapers on his bicycle, driving a school bus, to driving a Coca-Cola truck and working in a television station. However, George retired in 2015 from Guilford Builders Supply where he was a custom project carpenter for over 30 years. During his retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at The Barnabas Network, a housing assistance non-profit, where he was able to use and pass along some of his woodworking knowledge.

Since 1992, George could often be found on the dance floor, especially in his yellow, tape-measure suspenders. He was highly involved in the contra dance community across North Carolina and beyond, and was very well loved and respected by his fellow dancers.

He was a beloved friend to all of us and a joyful soul who will be sorely missed. The dance community won’t be the same without George.

The family will join us for the dance.

WEAR YELLOW RULER SUSPENDERS IF YOU HAVE THEM.

About the band…

Swang!” is a trio of veteran contra dance musicians playing traditional tunes from Acadia (Québec, Nova Scotia, and Maine). Based in the Triangle, Swang! features Paul Fackler on fiddle, Julie Gorka on piano, and Colin Cannell on percussion.