HAVERHILL - George W. Allison, Sr., 84, died May 22, 2019 at High Pointe House in Haverhill following a long battle with lung disease. He was lovingly embraced by his wife, children and son-in-law at the time of his passing.

A lifelong Haverhill resident, George was a graduate of Haverhill High School, Class of 1953 and went on to earn an associate's degree in electrical engineering from Lowell Technological Institute and certificates from Honeywell Field Service School. He retired in 1992 as Principal Engineer for Honeywell-Bull Worldwide Information Systems, where he had worked for 28 years as a field service quality assurance engineer. Never one to be idle long, George drove a bus for the Haverhill School Department for special needs students from 1993 to 2006.

Son of a Scottish immigrant, George was a man of consistent integrity, honor, and purpose in word and deed. He did not tolerate nonsense nor did he participate in it. His stoic countenance overlay a principled worldview that would not allow him to abandon his duty to family and friends. George's sardonic wit and directness with people left an impression on all who encountered him. Folk either appreciated him or they didn't. That's how he preferred it, and would often say, "Take it or leave it." George was respected for always being true to who he was.

George married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn, and shared 66 years and four children. Together they operated Emerson Farm in Haverhill and enjoyed many years of vegetable farming; selling their main crop of butternut squash to local grocery stores and at area farmer's markets and later growing and selling blueberries. George loved his tractor and took pleasure in mowing his fields.

George and Marilyn enjoyed traveling and adventured all over the world together. He enjoyed driving up to Freeport, Maine and North Conway, New Hampshire for day trips and longer stays. George loved a good plate of fried scallops and baked haddock, and lobsters fresh from his son's boat. George grew some of the Merrimack Valley's best butter and sugar corn to go along with it.

George was the son of Thomas S. Allison, Sr. and Sarah L. (Pierce) Allison, and predeceased by brothers, Thomas S. Allison, Jr., Robert Allison, and sister Louise Montebianchi. He is survived by wife, Marilyn E. (Lewis) of Haverhill; son, George W. Allison, Jr., and wife Marcella of Nottingham, NH; daughters, Nancy and husband Richard DeMarco of Haverhill; Marcia Allison and companion Kenneth Gifford, both of Manchester, NH; Rebecca Scaglione of Salisbury, MA; brother, James Allison of Idaho; grandchildren, Sara Allison; Kai Demarco; Craig DeMarco; Kara Putnam; Ashley Paszko; Hannah Tuccolo; Sarah DiMartino; Naomi Stanley; Marc Scaglione; Cassie Scaglione; great-grandchildren, Lila; Kingston; Timothy; Marcella; Natalie; and several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours are Tuesday, May 28, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 So. Main Street (Rte. 125), Bradford, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Funeral service will be Wednesday in the funeral home at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Broadway (Rte. 97), Haverhill. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Lung Association at www.lung.org/about-us/local-associations/massachusetts . George was a regular donor to this organization. For guestbook, please visit www.driscollcares.com