George S. "Tony" Meyer of Cove Neck, NY and Stuart, FL passed away peacefully at home on October 11, 2023, surrounded by his children and beloved dog "Gizmo". He had just celebrated his 84th birthday on October 3rd.

George was born in Syosset, NY in 1939 to a family with too many relatives named George so he adopted the nickname "Tony" at an early age. He attended the Greenvale School and Eaglebrook School and joined the United States Navy at 18 where he completed his high school studies during six years of service that took him around the world on the Destroyer USS Barry (DD-933) and even landed him in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis at one point. After the Navy, Tony worked for Allied Maintenance fueling planes at JFK and at the 1964-65 World's Fair in Queens during which time he met Sarah Francis Glenn who had just started her teaching career. The young couple both sailed competitively and were active with the Buckram Beagles, a now defunct North Shore hunting club. They raised three children and enjoyed a 47-year marriage until Sarah passed away in 2010.

In 1967 Tony began working at Cord Meyer Development Company in Queens. NY which was founded by his great-grandfather in 1904. He was later joined by his older brother Charles G. Meyer in 1971. Eventually Tony and Charlie moved into leadership roles and redeveloped much of Cord Meyer's century old property portfolio. One of their crowning achievements was turning a small strip shopping center into the largest open-air shopping center in Northern Queens – the Bay Terrace Shopping Center. Tony retired in 2008 as Executive Vice President.

Tony grew up sailing at Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club on Centre Island and became a member himself in 1963. Tony was elected Commodore and served from 2009-10. Tony's father Charles preceded him as Commodore (1970-73) and his son Willets followed him (2017-18). Over the years Tony and Sarah owned a series of sailboats named Halcyon on which they cruised around the Northeast each Summer with family and friends. After Sarah's death in 2010, Tony purchased "Otter" a pretty 30ft lobster boat. Tony enjoyed cruising Otter around Long Island Sound and even made one extended passage to Florida down the Intracoastal Waterway with his son David and friends. He also loved using Otter as a support boat for his grandchildren and their fellow Seawanhaka junior sailors at youth regattas all over Long Island Sound. Tony and Otter became fixtures on the Summer JSA sailing circuit and will be fondly remembered by a generation of young Seawanhaka sailors.

Tony lived in the Incorporated Village of Cove Neck located in Oyster Bay for 54 years and volunteered on several Village Boards. Tony was a long-serving trustee at East Woods School where Sarah taught and all three children attended. He was also an active member of Christ Church of Oyster Bay where he served on the vestry for several years. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, a founder of Queens Botanical Garden, Tony was a Board member there for many years and later saw his son Willets and daughter Edie also serve on the Board.

In 2014 Tony became a resident of Stuart, Florida when he purchased a condo in the Mariner's Cay development at the invitation of a group of long-standing friends. Winters in Florida with his active group of retired friends suited Tony and he joined Crossroads Yacht Club rising to Commodore in 2016.

Tony will be deeply missed by his entire family including his brother Charles and stepsiblings Sarah James, Gillian Holbrook, Robert Holbrook and James Holbrook. He is survived by his daughter Edie, son David, son Willets and daughter in law Christina. He also leaves four grandchildren (Willets, Hannah, Cole & Gwen) who were fortunate to enjoy a long run with a wonderful, doting Grandfather.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday November 18th at 11:00 am at Christ Church Oyster Bay. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to:

Christ Church Oyster Bay - https://christchurchoysterbay.org/

The Waterfront Center - Home | The WaterFront Center | Oyster Bay, NY

Queens Botanical Garden - https://queensbotanical.org/