George D. Cannon, Jr., 84, of Ocean Grove, died January 7, 2021 at Ocean Medical Center, Brick Township. George was a Professor at New Jersey State University for 35 years. He earned a Bachelors degree from Miami University, a Masters from Montclair State College, and a PhD from IASHS. George served with the United States Army Medical Corps after hitchhiking across Europe. He was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church and was an Ocean Grove Auditorium usher for 10 years. He was a lifeguard for 15 years in Ocean Grove and Bradley Beach. George was a former chief of the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company and was one of only two firemen in the history of the Ocean Grove Fire Department to receive the Monmouth County Medal of Valor.George enjoyed skiing, snowmobiling, and motorcycle riding in Vermont with his family and friends and was a great foliage enthusiast. He had an unending witty sense of humor and was a true pun aficionado and raconteur. He spent his summers with family and close friends swimming, sailing, and fishing in Lake Charlton, Ontario. Achieving his glider pilot's license in the early 1980's, he delighted in flying aerobatics and toured the country exploring new skies. He traveled the world and was a lifelong learner as well as a great educator committed to sharing his knowledge with everyone he met. He had a love of animals, tried regularly to prove he was a Jeopardy master, and managed to leave a permanent mark on the hearts of people he had only met once. He was truly unique and unforgettable and will be greatly missed by the people whose hearts he touched.George was predeceased by his sister Dr. Marilyn Cannon and his brother in law, Dr. Carl Guzzo. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Leslie, as well as their children Kimble, Kristen, and George and his son-in-law Michael and daughter-in-law Xiaoyi. He leaves behind six grandchildren Elizabeth, Katherine, Alexandria, Charlotte, Oscar, and Olivia.Visitation will be held Thursday, January 28 from 3 to 7 at the Ocean Grove Memorial Home, 118 Main Avenue, Ocean Grove. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 29th, 10 AM at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 80 Embury Avenue, Ocean Grove, with interment following at Fairmount Cemetery, Newark.