George Cecil

Barclay Jr.

GEORGE CECIL BARCLAY, JR.

SUNRISE November 27, 1938 – SUNSET May 30, 2021

George Cecil Barclay, Jr. was born on November 27, 1938, in New York City to George Cecil Barclay, Sr. and Bertha Barclay. He grew up in the village of Harlem. After attending Harren High School, on February 3, 1956, he left and immediately joined the United States Air Force on February 7, 1956.  George served in the Air Force for four years. He received an honorable discharge in 1960. On March 23, 1962, he enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard where he served for 36 years and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant.  His joint and expansive military careers in the Air Force and the New Jersey Air National Guard span 41 years.

After leaving the Air Force, on June 26, 1960, he married his childhood sweetheart, Thurba Louise Maultsby. Out of this union came five wonderful children.  Latonia Steinbergin, Deborah Barclay-Carter, Sharon Robinson, Sandra Indrathaher, and George Barclay III.

In his professional career, he worked various jobs. In September 1960, he began working for New York Central Railroads. After leaving that job, in the interim, while waiting to be called for a Motorman position, he drove the Bus, for several years for New York City Transit Authority (MTA).  Subsequently, on November 27, 1967, he transferred and transitioned into a different career, as a Motorman with the New York City Transit Authority where he worked tirelessly; for the MTA for 21 years and retired, at the age 50, on January 6, 1989. To fulfill his abundance of leisure time, on July 23, 1989, George ventured into another part-time career path as a Bus Driver for the New Jersey Transit Authority. He enjoyed driving. It was one of his many passions and considered it a hobby and not a job. As a result, this part-time work resulted in 21 years of service.

George adored his family. He was a loving and kind man who was a fair but firm father and grandfather. As a civilian and through the military, he was able to accomplish another passion which was travel. He traveled extensively throughout the world, visiting several foreign countries, and always with his camera in hand. He loved working on puzzles, playing cards, fixing, and assembling anything that you put in front of him and sharing his wisdom. He was very proud of his military service and his civil servant careers. He touched many lives. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

George is pre-deceased by his wife, Thurba, his parents George and Bertha Barclay, his brother Francis Porter, his brother-in-law, Carter Jackson, his son-in-law Wahyudi Indrathaher and his grandson, Joshua Robinson. He leaves to mourn his sister, Bonnie Jackson; his children Latonia (Vance/Spouse), Deborah, Sharon (David/Spouse), Sandra, George (Letesha/Spouse); His grandchildren: Jeff, Vance, Kyle, Jason, Jordan, David, Christopher, Isaiah, and his only grand-daughter Lauren Louise; two great-grandchildren Kaleb and Amiri; and a loving extended family which includes a host of  brother- in- laws, sister -in- laws,  cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.