George Wey Dies at 99; Longtime Civil Engineer

George L. Wey, a valued member of his community, first in Boston and later on Martha's Vineyard, died on Dec. 4 in Boston. An influential and respected civil engineer, he was 99 years old at the time of his death.

Mr. Wey practiced the art of engineering for his entire career, which lasted more than 70 years and spanned most of the 20th century. Throughout his life, he embraced new ideas and change. Precise and exacting in his work, he was, at the same time, innovative and creative in his approach to problem solving.

Born in Bristol, Conn., on May 28, 1907, he was a son of William L. Wey and Eva Stecher Wey. He was the fifth of six children, and at the time of his death, he was the only surviving sibling. He spent his childhood in Bristol and at an early age excelled at sports and exhibited a love of competition and drive. At Bristol High School, he was a star athlete and he was recruited by the University of Illinois to play football. He earned a bachelor's degree in engineering from the University of Illinois in 1930.

George Wey's work ethic was formed by the experience of the Great Depression. Several of his grandchildren recall working for their grandfather one summer on the Vineyard at his company, G.L. Wey Engineering Consultants. The project at hand involved digging a large ditch together with splitting several large boulders. The project came to an impasse and Mr. Wey's grandchildren could go no further. Mr. Wey's response was, as always: "You can do anything." With that he asked them to step aside and, with one blow of a sledgehammer, he split the boulder in two. Mr. Wey was 90 at the time and the temperature matched his age. According to his grandchildren, he taught them never to give up when performing a task and to put your mind and heart into your work to accomplish your goals.

When World War II began, Mr. Wey volunteered for military service and was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Navy's newly formed Construction Brigade, the SeaBees. After completing officer training, the unit he was assigned to was given the task of constructing the U.S. Naval Base in Bermuda. Having spent a year and a half in Bermuda, Mr. Wey's unit was shipped to the Pacific Theatre in preparation for the invasion of the Philippines. When U.S. troops landed on Leyte Island and before the end of hostilities, his unit constructed an airfield and port facilities while under constant harassment by the enemy. Prior to Japan's surrender, Mr. Wey's unit was preparing for the Allied invasion of mainland Japan.

After World War II, Mr. Wey returned to Boston and was chosen to be the chief engineer of the Boston Port Authority, now the Massachusetts Port Authority. During his tenure with the Boston Port Authority, Mr. Wey implemented and supervised the construction of new shipping facilities within Boston's inner harbor. In the early 1960s he left the port authority and was appointed director of transportation planning for the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was instrumental in preventing the implementation of the inner belt highway which would have been disruptive to the environment and the surrounding urban communities.

Upon reaching retirement age, Mr. Wey left the public sector and sold the family home in Winthrop to build a house on Martha's Vineyard. With the completion of his home, he became restless with the desire to do something more with his life. At the age of 71 he formed G.L. Engineering Consultants. He remained active in this pursuit until he was 94.

His family was at the center of his life, and Mr. Wey delighted in following the lives and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. He will be remembered by his family and his many friends for his politeness, competence, generosity and the spirit of good will he showed to others. His grandchildren will always remember their grandfather's devotion to their grandmother during her lengthy illness.

On the Vineyard, Mr. Wey was a director of Union Chapel and a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, the East Chop Beach Club and the East Chop Tennis Club. He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

He was predeceased by his wife of 62 years, Jean O. Wey; his daughter, Dr. Nancy B. Wey and his son, Jonathan L. Wey as well as his five siblings. He is survived by his sons George C. Wey of Scituate, and Roger W. Wey of Oak Bluffs. He also leaves 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and his second wife, Roberta.

Funeral services were held Dec. 8, 2006, at the Trinity United Methodist Church in the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, Oak Bluffs. Interment was in the family cemetery in Bristol, Conn.