George S. Bruington
George Stuart Bruington, beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, passed away unexpectedly in a vehicle accident on May 11, 2017 at the age of 65. He is predeceased by his father, Robert Bruington and his son, Braden Quinn Bruington. George is survived by his loving wife Valerie of 40 years, mother Betty Hatch and sister Karen Lesnick of Colorado Springs, sister Penny Hedlund of Washington, granddaughter Arden Bruington, and loving nieces, nephews and other dear relatives, including brothers not of blood but of heart, Norm Hayes and Monty Thompson.
George was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 18, 1952 to Betty and Bob Bruington. He graduated from Mitchell High School, Colorado Springs in 1970, then attended Colorado Mountain College, Spring Valley campus for two years before completing a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Recreation from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley in 1974. He moved to the Roaring Fork Valley to live and work where he met Valerie in the spring of 1975 when she and his sister Karen went on a ski trip to Snowmass Village. Soon after George moved to Colorado Springs to work in the City’s Department of Recreation, but his love of the mountains and the friendships he had made soon brought him, along with Valerie, back to the Roaring Fork Valley. George and Valerie married at Maroon Bells on May 19, 1977. George became a student of carpentry to fulfill his desire to build his own home and consequently he became a skilled builder and contractor. George built and remodeled homes in Monument, Aspen, his own home in Basalt, and he worked with his father to build his parent’s home in Colorado Springs. He created many beautiful, warm, and inviting spaces. Later in his life he conducted home inspections and recently received his license to conduct energy audits.
George was an expert skier. In his younger years his free-spirited and adventurist nature also spurred him to skydive. He became more contemplative over the years as his concerns shifted to his family with the arrival of his son, Braden, in September of 1983. His family was, and remain in spirit, a devoted threesome. Nevertheless, he always enjoyed running, biking, boating, and exploring. Family and friends shared many memorable ski trips and boating adventures with George, including some longer trips to Lake Powell.
George was a man of few words but deep thoughts. He was kind, honest, generous to a fault, and very protective of those he cared about. He abhorred injustice and was very giving of himself to help and provide pleasure to others. His home and heart were his family, friends and the mountains, all of which he looked to for joy, serenity and meaning. At gatherings, he made notoriously good margaritas, always accompanied by a generous and appreciated dose of wit and humor.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, June 4th 2017, 3 to 6 PM at the home that George built in Basalt. Bring happy memories to share.
Without hesitation, George was giving of his time for any one in need. To honor his memory, he would encourage us all to pay it forward.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the open space program, so all can continue to enjoy what he so did.
