George Patrick Phear was found deceased on August 19, 2018, the result of a probable heart attack. He was 55. George was a kind, gentle man, whose warmth and keen interests he shared with many. George was born in Lusaka, Zambia on February 11, 1963. He attended Bowen Elementary School in Newton and graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School in 1981. George then completed a post-graduate year at the Lawrenceville School and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Skidmore College. Despite confronting the challenges of mental illness for most of his adult life, George exhibited the courage and perseverance to stay positive and sober for many years and through the end. George engaged with sincerity and enthusiasm the many people who were an important part of his daily interactions and correspondences. A man of careful routine, great curiosity, and enthusiastic musings, George was always one to pursue a coincidence, offer a noteworthy observation, or make connection to a philosophical idea. He sought to see the good side of everyone. With his intense eyes, he would listen carefully, and with his sharp mind, he would never forget the details of the lives he cared about. Everyone who knew George, or shared a meaningful encounter with him, is invited to attend an informal memorial service on October 13 at 2:00 p.m. to be held at the Burns Funeral Home, 305 Broadway Street in Cambridge, MA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in George’s memory may be made to the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation at https://bbrfoundation.donordrive.com/campaign/George