George Dehney’s Journey
Donation protected
UPDATE 10/8/2020
Our brother George is out of pain and with his maker. A valiant and relentless fight he gave. Relax now brave Captain. Our love for you transcends all space and time.
George Christopher Dehney
Dec 25, 1971 - Oct 8, 2020
George Christopher Dehney, 48, of Stevensville died October 8, 2020 at Compass Regional Hospice in Chestertown after a 21-month battle with glioblastoma. Preceded in death by his father, George Joseph Dehney, he is survived by his wife of 22 years, Aimee Curry Dehney, and their children Thomas (15) and Grace (12), his mother Annette Dehney, and sisters Michelle Dehney Carlin and Collette Dehney Cullen.
George was born December 25, 1971 in Lowell, MA. He was baptized at St John’s Church, New Chelmsford, MA. He grew up in Westford, MA where George Sr. and Annette instilled in the family a love of sailing and the outdoors – something that would become a passion for George which he would take to high levels of adventure. The family moved to Silver Spring, MD where he attended Springbrook High School. George was a three-year varsity football letterman and helped lead the Blue Devils to win state championships his junior and senior year. He was awarded the Iron Man award his senior year for being the toughest player on the team and also won All-County Player of the Year. As a senior wrestler he competed as a state finalist.
After graduating in 1990, George worked at CT/HX for six years refurbishing cooling towers. During this time, he also played semi-pro football for the Baltimore Renegades and rugby with the Maryland Exiles. In 1996, George was accepted into Steamfitters Local 602 Apprenticeship Trade School. Graduating in 2001 with both a welder’s certificate and journeyman’s license, he began work as a mechanical foreman on countless buildings in the greater Washington area. George was honored as the 2014 Craftsmanship Award Winner by the Washington Building Congress for his work on the Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center.
George met Aimee Curry, a nursing student at James Madison University, and they married in 1998. Living in Ellicott City, George took up sailing again and purchased his first cabin sailboat. Wanting to be closer to the Chesapeake Bay, the couple moved to a waterfront neighborhood on Kent Island in 2003. George and Aimee got involved in all aspects of island life: as parishioners at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, members of Kentmorr Marina and Safe Harbor Narrows Point, and of the Elks Club. They travelled extensively and George captained family sailing trips to the British Virgin and Windward islands. An avid outdoorsman, George enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raced for the Severn Sailing Association. “Getting a workout in” was his mantra and he built extraordinary endurance through weight training, running, and swimming. That endurance served him well in another one of his favorite pastimes – storytelling.
George and Aimee’s greatest pride was watching their children excel in sports: Tommy in football and wrestling and Gracie in volleyball and lacrosse. From 2011-2018, George coached Tommy's football team, the Piranahs, leading them to Bayside championship victories in 2017 and 2018, and to the AYF Nationals and State Championship finals in 2017. He was assistant JV coach for the 2018 Kent Island High School football season.
George was diagnosed in January 2019 with a glioblastoma, a particularly cruel twist of fate for a man who lost his father to brain cancer when he was just 22. Born on Christmas, George greeted each day with the enthusiasm of someone who knew each day is a gift. He made the final year and a half of his life about action, chief among them: Love – of family, especially Aimee, Tommy, and Gracie, of friends, and of strangers. There was nothing passive about George. As husband, father, captain, coach, and raconteur, George was all in, always.
George was a coach and a builder. In lieu of flowers, the Dehney family has designated the following organizations to which memorial contribution checks may be directed:
Chesapeake Bay Piranhas
In Memory of Coach Dehney
P.O. Box 302
Stevensville MD 21666
St. Christopher's Church
In Memory of George Dehney
1861 Harbor Drive
Chester, Maryland 21619
Link to Obituary
Link to Funeral Mass
UPDATE 8/17/19
George has been living life to the fullest this summer! From sailing the BVIs, hiking beautiful Nova Scotia, to cheering his beloved SOX at Fenway – he’s been non-stop looking for the next adventure. At home, he’s been working out and helping coach strength and conditioning for Kent Island’s high school football team. And he’s enjoyed the times many of you have stopped by the house.
George has sustained a great outlook and positive attitude despite increasing setbacks. Fatigue hits him like a wall and he can become disoriented at the most unexpected times. Early July we tried to wean him off steroids, but that led to an episode that landed him in the ER. At Six Flags earlier this month, he became aphasic (unable to speak), dizzy, and confused. He had right-sided weakness leading to a near fall. Tommy and Gracie have been amazing helping their dad in these moments!
This week, George had his regular follow-up at the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke Health. Unfortunately, his MRI showed "progression," meaning the tumor is growing back. The plan moving forward is daily oral chemo – Temodar – and IV infusions of Avastin every two weeks. Avastin should help contain the tumor by reducing its blood supply. It should also improve George’s speech and coordination by reducing inflammation on the brain – with the added goal of decreased steroid use. In his doctor's words, "If you respond well to the Avastin, it can bring you years; if you don't, it won't bring you years. That's about as much as I can say without having a crystal ball." The doc ordered physical, occupational, and speech therapies to improve deficits.
George will return to Duke in two months to determine treatment effectiveness. While admittedly frustrated with the difficult news, he returned to Maryland positive and hopeful about the future. He continues to work out, throw the football with Tommy as best he can, and coach now that HS football has officially started. Such a BEAST and an inspiration!
With George on the go and with the increasing amount of treatment and therapy, the Dehneys continue to rely on your generous help. A schedule will be posted soon for help with carpooling and meals. Because Aimee still needs to work, George will need rides to the gym, treatments, therapy, and football practice. Please be on the lookout to sign up soon!
Your gifts have sustained the Dehney family household and helped underwrite much of the medical expenses over the past seven months. You have given their family the opportunity to travel to make as many memories as they can. And they are grateful beyond words for the amazing love and support you’ve shown.
Still, with the need to increase George’s medical protocols, they remain in need of financial assistance. George has finally begun to receive disability and pension benefits – after a ridiculous 7-month wait. However, payments are considerably less than what his revenue was prior to getting ill. Aimee continues to work, when she can, as a staff RN at Anne Arundel Medical Center Infusion Center (ironically where George will receive his Avastin treatment). The goal is for her to work 30 hours a week which unfortunately, has not been feasible due to the circumstances,
The Go Fund Me link is available should you feel inspired to help. The Dehneys home address is:
401 Chesapeake Ave
Stevensville, MD 21666
Please write them: They love receiving cards of encouragement and prayer! As always, George, Aimee, Tommy (14), and Gracie (11) remain overwhelmed by and forever grateful for all the love, prayers, and encouragement you’ve shown them these past months.
THANK YOU! And may God Bless each of you!
Update 3/2/19
Over the last two weeks the outpouring of love and generosity towards George and the Dehney family is a true testament to the strength of the community that surrounds them.
Thanks to everyone’s donations, we’ve surpassed our initial goal of $10,000! Impressive. We want to keep pushing forward for George’s journey, especially with medical bills now coming in. We’ve increased our goal to $50,000 and encourage you to spread the word- every share and penny helps.
Beginning Tuesday, 3/5/19 George will begin 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week (M-F) with a low dose of oral chemotherapy (temodar). Each treatment will be at John Hopkins, so they’ll be making the 2 hour round trip over the bridge into Baltimore for the next 6 weeks. Needless to say this will take a toll on George as well as Aimee, Tommy and Gracie, and your generosity helps ease the burden.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers, love and support.
2/14/18
Our captain and coach, George Dehney has recently received results that he has Grade IV Glioblastoma, brain cancer.
This news is still fresh and there is additional pathology pending. The Dehney Family is only in the early stages of understanding how all of this will impact them financially. George will no longer be working and so they are losing their primary source of revenue. They have started the paperwork for George’s early retirement, trying to fast-track social security disability, reviewing insurance coverage, etc. However, until they have a clearer picture of the financial impact, it is the hope that family and friends will find ways to support them.
The support system of the Dehney/Curry Families spreads far and wide, including every person reading and sharing this information and the Dehney family is so grateful for the love and support each individual has given.
Please check back for the latest timelines and updates on George and the Dehneys.
Send personal notes to the Dehney household at 401 Chesapeake Ave. Stevensville, MD 21666 or at [email redacted]
For further details regarding George's Journey please see his Caring Bridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/georgedehneysjourney
God Bless
Our brother George is out of pain and with his maker. A valiant and relentless fight he gave. Relax now brave Captain. Our love for you transcends all space and time.
George Christopher Dehney
Dec 25, 1971 - Oct 8, 2020
George Christopher Dehney, 48, of Stevensville died October 8, 2020 at Compass Regional Hospice in Chestertown after a 21-month battle with glioblastoma. Preceded in death by his father, George Joseph Dehney, he is survived by his wife of 22 years, Aimee Curry Dehney, and their children Thomas (15) and Grace (12), his mother Annette Dehney, and sisters Michelle Dehney Carlin and Collette Dehney Cullen.
George was born December 25, 1971 in Lowell, MA. He was baptized at St John’s Church, New Chelmsford, MA. He grew up in Westford, MA where George Sr. and Annette instilled in the family a love of sailing and the outdoors – something that would become a passion for George which he would take to high levels of adventure. The family moved to Silver Spring, MD where he attended Springbrook High School. George was a three-year varsity football letterman and helped lead the Blue Devils to win state championships his junior and senior year. He was awarded the Iron Man award his senior year for being the toughest player on the team and also won All-County Player of the Year. As a senior wrestler he competed as a state finalist.
After graduating in 1990, George worked at CT/HX for six years refurbishing cooling towers. During this time, he also played semi-pro football for the Baltimore Renegades and rugby with the Maryland Exiles. In 1996, George was accepted into Steamfitters Local 602 Apprenticeship Trade School. Graduating in 2001 with both a welder’s certificate and journeyman’s license, he began work as a mechanical foreman on countless buildings in the greater Washington area. George was honored as the 2014 Craftsmanship Award Winner by the Washington Building Congress for his work on the Novant Health Haymarket Medical Center.
George met Aimee Curry, a nursing student at James Madison University, and they married in 1998. Living in Ellicott City, George took up sailing again and purchased his first cabin sailboat. Wanting to be closer to the Chesapeake Bay, the couple moved to a waterfront neighborhood on Kent Island in 2003. George and Aimee got involved in all aspects of island life: as parishioners at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church, members of Kentmorr Marina and Safe Harbor Narrows Point, and of the Elks Club. They travelled extensively and George captained family sailing trips to the British Virgin and Windward islands. An avid outdoorsman, George enjoyed hunting, fishing, and raced for the Severn Sailing Association. “Getting a workout in” was his mantra and he built extraordinary endurance through weight training, running, and swimming. That endurance served him well in another one of his favorite pastimes – storytelling.
George and Aimee’s greatest pride was watching their children excel in sports: Tommy in football and wrestling and Gracie in volleyball and lacrosse. From 2011-2018, George coached Tommy's football team, the Piranahs, leading them to Bayside championship victories in 2017 and 2018, and to the AYF Nationals and State Championship finals in 2017. He was assistant JV coach for the 2018 Kent Island High School football season.
George was diagnosed in January 2019 with a glioblastoma, a particularly cruel twist of fate for a man who lost his father to brain cancer when he was just 22. Born on Christmas, George greeted each day with the enthusiasm of someone who knew each day is a gift. He made the final year and a half of his life about action, chief among them: Love – of family, especially Aimee, Tommy, and Gracie, of friends, and of strangers. There was nothing passive about George. As husband, father, captain, coach, and raconteur, George was all in, always.
George was a coach and a builder. In lieu of flowers, the Dehney family has designated the following organizations to which memorial contribution checks may be directed:
Chesapeake Bay Piranhas
In Memory of Coach Dehney
P.O. Box 302
Stevensville MD 21666
St. Christopher's Church
In Memory of George Dehney
1861 Harbor Drive
Chester, Maryland 21619
Link to Obituary
Link to Funeral Mass
UPDATE 8/17/19
George has been living life to the fullest this summer! From sailing the BVIs, hiking beautiful Nova Scotia, to cheering his beloved SOX at Fenway – he’s been non-stop looking for the next adventure. At home, he’s been working out and helping coach strength and conditioning for Kent Island’s high school football team. And he’s enjoyed the times many of you have stopped by the house.
George has sustained a great outlook and positive attitude despite increasing setbacks. Fatigue hits him like a wall and he can become disoriented at the most unexpected times. Early July we tried to wean him off steroids, but that led to an episode that landed him in the ER. At Six Flags earlier this month, he became aphasic (unable to speak), dizzy, and confused. He had right-sided weakness leading to a near fall. Tommy and Gracie have been amazing helping their dad in these moments!
This week, George had his regular follow-up at the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke Health. Unfortunately, his MRI showed "progression," meaning the tumor is growing back. The plan moving forward is daily oral chemo – Temodar – and IV infusions of Avastin every two weeks. Avastin should help contain the tumor by reducing its blood supply. It should also improve George’s speech and coordination by reducing inflammation on the brain – with the added goal of decreased steroid use. In his doctor's words, "If you respond well to the Avastin, it can bring you years; if you don't, it won't bring you years. That's about as much as I can say without having a crystal ball." The doc ordered physical, occupational, and speech therapies to improve deficits.
George will return to Duke in two months to determine treatment effectiveness. While admittedly frustrated with the difficult news, he returned to Maryland positive and hopeful about the future. He continues to work out, throw the football with Tommy as best he can, and coach now that HS football has officially started. Such a BEAST and an inspiration!
With George on the go and with the increasing amount of treatment and therapy, the Dehneys continue to rely on your generous help. A schedule will be posted soon for help with carpooling and meals. Because Aimee still needs to work, George will need rides to the gym, treatments, therapy, and football practice. Please be on the lookout to sign up soon!
Your gifts have sustained the Dehney family household and helped underwrite much of the medical expenses over the past seven months. You have given their family the opportunity to travel to make as many memories as they can. And they are grateful beyond words for the amazing love and support you’ve shown.
Still, with the need to increase George’s medical protocols, they remain in need of financial assistance. George has finally begun to receive disability and pension benefits – after a ridiculous 7-month wait. However, payments are considerably less than what his revenue was prior to getting ill. Aimee continues to work, when she can, as a staff RN at Anne Arundel Medical Center Infusion Center (ironically where George will receive his Avastin treatment). The goal is for her to work 30 hours a week which unfortunately, has not been feasible due to the circumstances,
The Go Fund Me link is available should you feel inspired to help. The Dehneys home address is:
401 Chesapeake Ave
Stevensville, MD 21666
Please write them: They love receiving cards of encouragement and prayer! As always, George, Aimee, Tommy (14), and Gracie (11) remain overwhelmed by and forever grateful for all the love, prayers, and encouragement you’ve shown them these past months.
THANK YOU! And may God Bless each of you!
Update 3/2/19
Over the last two weeks the outpouring of love and generosity towards George and the Dehney family is a true testament to the strength of the community that surrounds them.
Thanks to everyone’s donations, we’ve surpassed our initial goal of $10,000! Impressive. We want to keep pushing forward for George’s journey, especially with medical bills now coming in. We’ve increased our goal to $50,000 and encourage you to spread the word- every share and penny helps.
Beginning Tuesday, 3/5/19 George will begin 6 weeks of radiation, 5 days a week (M-F) with a low dose of oral chemotherapy (temodar). Each treatment will be at John Hopkins, so they’ll be making the 2 hour round trip over the bridge into Baltimore for the next 6 weeks. Needless to say this will take a toll on George as well as Aimee, Tommy and Gracie, and your generosity helps ease the burden.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers, love and support.
2/14/18
Our captain and coach, George Dehney has recently received results that he has Grade IV Glioblastoma, brain cancer.
This news is still fresh and there is additional pathology pending. The Dehney Family is only in the early stages of understanding how all of this will impact them financially. George will no longer be working and so they are losing their primary source of revenue. They have started the paperwork for George’s early retirement, trying to fast-track social security disability, reviewing insurance coverage, etc. However, until they have a clearer picture of the financial impact, it is the hope that family and friends will find ways to support them.
The support system of the Dehney/Curry Families spreads far and wide, including every person reading and sharing this information and the Dehney family is so grateful for the love and support each individual has given.
Please check back for the latest timelines and updates on George and the Dehneys.
Send personal notes to the Dehney household at 401 Chesapeake Ave. Stevensville, MD 21666 or at [email redacted]
For further details regarding George's Journey please see his Caring Bridge site:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/georgedehneysjourney
God Bless
Organizer and beneficiary
Dehney Family
Organizer
Stevensville, MD
Aimee Dehney
Beneficiary
