The Delaware County District Library is heartbroken to share the news that our former director and friend George Needham has passed away.

George retired in October 2022, after serving the library community for five decades. We have celebrated his distinguished career, but now we’d like to celebrate other facets of George’s life.

George grew up in Buffalo, New York, and also lived in Michigan and South Carolina before landing in Ohio. He loved to travel, most recently flying to Finland and Sweden to cheer on his beloved Columbus Blue Jackets. Along with hockey, he was also a lifelong, true blue Cubs fan. If you saw him out and about, it was likely while supporting the arts with the love of his life, Joyce. His extraordinary brain had an unlimited capacity for trivia, which he most notably put to use during his stint on Jeopardy. George always joked that his headstone would read, “Here lies a two time Jeopardy champ.”

George was most proud of his family, doting on his wife’s beautiful costume designs and talent on stage, celebrating his grandchildren’s accomplishments, and singing and making music with his siblings and anyone else who would sing along.

He worked with myriad nonprofit organizations in Delaware County and Central Ohio, and loved serving this community. He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

We know this is only a small snapshot of the person George was. George was among the best when it came to storytelling, so we’d love for you to join us on our Facebook page to share your stories of him, too.