By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
George Burton German, lifelong Merchantville resident and public servant, passed away on April 21, 2018. He leaves behind a legacy of true commitment to his community.
As part of his 60 years of service, Burt German was a member of Merchantville’s Borough Council and was its mayor from 1969-1974; a life member of the Niagara Fire Company, retiring as a fire chief; and also served as fire commissioner for the Borough. Most notably, Mr. German was the longest-seated commissioner for the Merchantville-Pennsauken Water Commission (MPWC) since the organization’s inception in 1926.
“Mr. German best exemplified the term, ‘public servant,’ and was a gentleman, role model, and mentor to so many over his lifespan,” says Michael Saraceni, chief operating officer, MPWC. “He was highly respected and appreciated. His contributions, presence and achievements will remain indefinitely a part of the MPWC culture. On behalf of the Commission and staff, we offer our sympathies and condolences to the German family. At the same time, we extend our sincerest gratitude to them for sharing him with us for so long. He will be remembered and missed.”
German, who was interviewed in 2016 after being sworn in for a ninth term with the Commission, spoke about how important it was for him to serve in that capacity.
“I like to think that I’m serving the community,” explained German. “The MPWC, in my view, is one of the best run utilities in the state. We have a reputation in the state for having very well run, clean, up-to-date facilities. I like to think I m a part of that.”
Mr. German was known for another water-related activity: swimming. Whether it was for USA Swimming, the national governing body of competitive swimming in the United States; Middle Atlantic Swimming, which supervises competitive swimming in Southern New Jersey, Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania; Tri-County Swimming, a South Jersey-based summer league which re-named its championship swim meet after him; or the numerous organizations that designate referees for high school and college swimming, Burt spent his life around the pool. Mr. German had refereed numerous national and international championships and was an extremely recognizable and trusted face to many a swimmer and coach. In fact, many years ago at a swim meet at the old Meadowbrook Swim Club, a certain young man who wound up being an editor of a community newspaper had Mr. German to thank for overturning a disqualification on his fast relay start.
Burt German’s desire was to serve his community for as long as he was able to. He wound up doing more than that, becoming an unforgettable part of Merchantville’s historic fabric and a benchmark for true service to community.
Donations in Burt’s memory can be made to: USA Swimming Foundation, 1 Olympic Plaza, Colorado Springs, CO 80909, (please write Burt German on the memo line of the check); or the Merchantville Fire Department – Niagara Fire Company, 22 E. Park Ave., Merchantville, NJ 08109.
