On July 25, the family of George Pfeiffer went through a tragic ordeal when Pfeiffer, owner of G.P. Bodyworks on 8640 Genesee Turnpike in Fayetteville, was killed in an accident while working on a car at his business.
Fortunately, Joyce, George’s wife, and Kaitlynn, his daughter, did not have to suffer alone. After holding a funeral with more than 1,000 people in attendance, Joyce said people have been showing their support in numerous ways. And on Oct. 3, a benefit was held to help raise funds to cover funeral expenses and help Kaitlynn get through college.
“I guess I never really knew how many people’s lives had been touched by George,” said Joyce. “He was a kind and loving man. … It’s been a tough few months but we’ve had so much support.”
Members in the community questioned how they could help support George’s family, so the idea to have a benefit for Joyce and Kaitlynn was brought to fruition, said Mark Buzzard, president of the Manlius Police Benevolent Association and one of the event organizers. The benefit was held at the Kirkville Fire Company Pole Barn and sponsored by the Manlius Police Benevolent Association, Fayetteville Fire Department, Kirkville Fire Company, Minoa Fire Department, Manlius Fire Department and Town of Manlius Professional Firefighters Association L3316.
Buzzard said that even though George had taken out his life insurance policy to put Kaitlynn through veterinary school, the insurance on both his business and the car on which he was working did not cover his accident, so Joyce and Kaitlynn were left without their main means of support.
“George worked from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Sunday for his family,” said Buzzard. “He was willing to help out anyone who needed a tow and work on their car no matter the time of day it was. … He knew a lot of police officers because he was always there with his tow truck if someone needed it.”
Buzzard estimated that between 400 and 500 friends and family of George attended the Oct. 3 benefit. More than 60 raffle prizes were donated by local businesses, as well as food and drinks, and four bands donated their time and talent in support of the Pfeiffer family.
“George was the type of guy who would do anything for anybody without asking for as much as a simple ‘thank you.’ I think the outcome from this event really shows the legacy that George left,” said Nancy Pfeiffer, Manlius Village Trustee and sister-in-law of George.
Kaitlynn is currently in her fourth year at the University of Findlay, Ohio, and will soon be applying to graduate schools to continue her studies to become a veterinarian, which will take about four more years of classes.
“Getting Kaitlynn through college so she could begin her dream of becoming a veterinarian was something George and I took very seriously,” said Joyce.
Luckily, Kaitlynn was on fall break last week and was able to visit to be in attendance at the benefit.
“My dad never liked being the center of attention, so he would probably say a few words about that,” said Kaitlynn when asked what her father would have thought of this benefit that brought hundreds of community members. “But if he were here he would have been spending time with his friends and having a good time … It just means so much to us that so many people care.”
“We’re just so humbled. Words can’t even describe just how grateful we are for all of this,” said Joyce.
In addition to last week’s benefit, a GoFundMe page has been set up to cover George’s funeral expenses and to help Kaitlynn make her way through school. To donate online, go to gofundme.com/6y57b8wg.
As of press time, a figure as to how much money that was raised at the event was not available, but the immediate needs of Joyce and Kaitlynn had been met, said Nancy Pfeiffer.
