Obituary of George C. Tonning

Shelton Resident George C. Tonning, age 65, of Shelton, beloved husband of Stephanie DeBlasi Tonning, died on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Connecticut Hospice of Branford. Born In Brooklyn, NY on November 20, 1946, he was a son of the late George and Elvira Gray Tonning. He received his bachelors degree in business at the University of Bridgeport and went on to work at General Electric as a Manager of Hospitality and Logistics worldwide. Georges career at GE was remarkable and unparalleled. He began his career in the kitchen at GE as a Second Cook in 1968 and rose through the ranks to become Executive Chef in 1974, Manager of Corporate Dining Services in 1981, and Manager of Corporate Services in 1996 which included managing corporate services at GEs Rockefeller Plaza offices, GE Crotonville learning center, and GEs worldwide headquarters campus in Fairfield including its Guest House, cafeteria, transportation services, TV studio, and fitness center. This role provided excellence in meeting/event planning, dining and the best in hospitality for GEs Board of Directors and Chairmen Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt, plus GE Corporate Executive and Shareowner events and meetings worldwide. His accomplishments included managing hospitality services for events at every Olympic Games since the 2000 games in Sydney, Australia, including this years Olympic Games in London, where GE is a major sponsor. In addition to his wife Stephanie of 33 years, survivors include a son, Wayne Tonning and his fiancee Elizabeth Villanueva of Boca Raton, FL, a daughter, Joann Tonning of Cheshire, two sisters, Helen Fernandez of NY and Sharyn Johnston of VA, three grandchildren, Skylar, Hailey and Thomas as well as several nieces and nephews. Funeral Information Friends are invited to meet directly in St. Judes Church, 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe on Friday, July 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Shelton. Family and friends may call on Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Road, Trumbull. Donations Information In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, website online donations http://buddywalk.kintera.org/gcdso/waynetonning