George G. Kuhnel, 66, of Gloucester City, New Jersey and Port St. Lucie, Florida passed away peacefully at home December 18th 2013 after a short battle with lung and brain cancer. George, son of the late Lewis Kuhnel and Kathryn Laricy of New Jersey, is survived by his loving partner/wife of 37 years Deborah (Izraelski) Kuhnel , daughters Jennifer Cermele (William), Kristina Klukiewiski of Philadelphia, and son Timothy George of Stuart, Florida . Sister Kathleen Sutton (Robert) of Westville, NJ and Brother Glenn Kuhnel (Mary Ann) of Jacksonville, FL. George is also survived by his five grandchildren William, Katherine, Shannon, James and Valerie, also many nieces, nephews, cousins and his beloved cat Critter. George also left behind his honorary family of Michael Hagan (Jennifer), Thomas Stewart, Sr. (Maryann) and his brethren of the Gloucester City New Jersey Fire Department and NJTF-1. /FEMA. George was born on November 16th 1947. He graduated from Camden Catholic High school where he was an active wrestler and member of the football team. George started his life of dedicated service to others as a lifeguard in his summers at Bellmawr Lake, NJ. He then attended Bemidji State University College in Minnesota to study nursing. George withdrew from college to enlist in the United States Navy in 1967 where he attended Field Medic School in Camp Pendleton, California. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1968 as a member of the 2nd/3rd Medical Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division. He was a field corpsmen on the front lines involved in the battles of Khe Sanh, and several others during the Tet Offensive. George was honorably discharged in 1969 and returned home to work for the US Postal Service while he attended school to become an EMT and Paramedic. In 1981, George spent six months in Israel as a corpsman supporting the building of an Israeli Air force base which would later become Ovda Airport. Prior to his trip to Israel he was a Medic Training Coordinator at Underwood Memorial Hospital, and upon his return he would become Director of the Medic Training program. He simultaneously worked as paramedic through Chester Crozier Hospital. In 1989 he attended Gloucester County College where he would become an RN. In his spare time he indulged in his love of racing motorcycles, traveling the world, restoring anything with wheels and collecting six of everything in his cluttered garage. He enjoyed sharing his love of his hobbies with his family and friends. As noted by his dear friend Robert Saunders, For those that may have not been aware George was one of the original Paramedics in the State of New Jersey. His long and distinguished career in service to his fellow man began when he left college to serve his country in Vietnam as a corpsman. He later became one of the original City of Camden EMS folks, original Paramedics with Underwood Hospital, (soon to be the Clinical Care Coordinator then Project Coordinator), Gloucester City Fire Department Firefighter/EMT, Rescue Technician with NJTF-1 and all around mentor, shade tree mechanic, advisor, and Uncle Kuhnks to several generations of public safety folks that have served not only our immediate area but throughout the worldHis list of Firsts and Bests would exceed the bandwidth of email systems. George was a member of the first graduating class of NJTF-1 which was linked to FEMA based in Lakehurst, NJ. He subsequently mentored and trained fellow members of this pioneering task force. On the fateful day of September 11, 2001, his team was summoned to New York as first responders. He spent two weeks recovering fellow fireman, police and civilians in a valiant rescue effort. He returned home to a heros welcome and resumed life as a Gloucester City Firefighter/EMT. On July 4th 2002 George barely escaped a tragic house fire in Gloucester City, NJ. Sadly he lost three fellow firefighters in the rescue, notably Thomas Stewart, III of GCFD. George was lovingly known as Pop Pop around the firehouse for his seniority, knowledge, dedication and his wisdom. He was loved by his fellow firefighters. Colleague and good friend Bob Williams of the GCFD said of George He was the guy you could always go to, always calm cool and collected, could fix anything with the contents of his pocket and what was in his van, a real true MacGyver. George was always there if you needed a helping hand, always... After a long dedicated life to saving and mentoring others, George retired in 2003 and relocated to Port St. Lucie, Florida with his devoted wife Debbie. When he was not travelling to exotic places like Costa Rica he focused on his love of boating, riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and completely cluttering his garage with random motors, tools and vehicles of all sizes; just like he did when he lived in Gloucester City, NJ. George lived an exemplary life, a humble hero, who shied away from any recognition in life for his good deeds; many of which will remain unknown. He touched and inspired so many with his quiet actions and unassuming presence. Relatives, friends, Gloucester City Fire Department, Brother and Sisters Paramedics and Firefighters are kindly invited to honor this exceptional hero, husband and father on Saturday, January 25 from 3 pm to 4:30 pm at McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME: 851 Monmouth Street, Gloucester City. Catholic Service and U.S. Navy Funeral Honors 4:30 pm in the funeral home. Life Celebration and Eulogies will be said during the service. Cremation private at request of the family. If George touched your life any way we encourage you to speak at the memorial and share your story. In lieu of flowers and the true spirit of George, please make a donation to the Salvation Army or any lifesaving charity in his name. Godspeed George, you will be missed!!!