Death Announced of George Michael Graham Furgueson, U.S. Navy Veteran of Essex, Formerly of Lyme

George Michael Graham Furgueson, of Essex, passed peacefully on April 11, 2026, after a short illness. He was 88 years old. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who is remembered for his down-to-earth demeanor, humor, good cheer, warmth and height. 

Born in March of 1938 in his grandfather’s hospital in Bayshore, NY, to the late Cornelius and Elinor King Furgueson, he is predeceased by his brother Cornelius Furgueson IV. He is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 65 years, Sherley Thomas Furgueson, his children Michael (Adeline), Scott (Anne) and Timothy (Mimi), and grandchildren Kate, Isabelle, Reeve, Reagan and Collin. 

Mike was graduated from the Choate School and St. Lawrence University before proudly serving in the U.S. Navy as an officer and diver, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He attended Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, during summers while at college. His deployment was scheduled for his wedding day; fortunately, the Navy provided a two-week deferment before he and Sherley departed for Washington, DC.

In Washington, Mike reported to the Washington Navy Yard for Deep Sea Diving School. Following completion, Mike and Sherley departed for Hawaii where he was an officer on the USS Grasp, a rescue and salvage ship. He went on several WestPac tours, calling at ports such as Tokyo, Subic Bay, Philippines and Guam.

Following his Naval service, he and Sherley moved back east where he joined the Electric Boat Company in Groton as an engineer; he worked with EB for 36 years.  He was also employed with the Pratt Read Company in Ivoryton for several years.

In 1964, he and Sherley built a house in Centerbrook where they raised their children and enjoyed a special neighborhood experience with many families who became lifelong friends. In 1992, they moved to Lyme, after building a beloved home overlooking Uncas Pond; they lived and thrived in that house for 30 years before moving back to Essex, into the Essex Meadows community, meeting wonderful people and enjoying the care and devotion from the staff there. 

He generously gave his time to the community as a member of the Essex Elementary School Board of Education, a FISH volunteer and director of the Lyme Public Hall. He was a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex since 1964 and generously volunteered his time to serve the church. 

He had a special affection for his family beach house in Lonelyville, Fire Island, NY, a place where he grew up surrounded by an extended family of cousins, aunts, uncles and family patriarch, Dr. King. Over the years, he and Sherley crafted this house into a special summer place they enjoyed and shared with his sons and their families. Mike and Sherley also had many fun weekends there with friends. 

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 6 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Essex.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations meaningful to Mike: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 3 Cross Street, Essex, CT; The Essex Foundation, PO Box 64, Essex, CT 06426; or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.