George Allen Hooper

George A. Hooper, formerly of Westfield, died March 9, 2009 after a lengthy illness.

Born in Akron, Ohio, he spent his childhood years in Riverton, New Jersey, Chicago, Illinois, and Paoli, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1953 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, he began a career in broadcasting with the National Broadcasting Company in New York City.

Working as a Stage Manager in live television was exciting, but the hours were erratic. So, he used his off-hours to study at Columbia University and completed a Masters of Science Degree in 1958. He rose through the ranks of television by holding positions in Station Sales, Sales Development, Advertising and Promotion and Marketing Services.

In 1978 he was made the Vice President of Audience Research, a position he held until General Electric took over NBC. Ultimately, he joined Statistical Research, Inc. in Westfield as a Senior Associate. After nine years he retired to spend more time with his family and pursue his hobby of restoring older homes.

A member of Phi Delta Theta and Alpha Epsilon Rho, a national radio honorary, he was also a chairman of CONTAM, the Committee on National Television Audience Measurement, a member of the Radio/Television Research Council and a Board Member of the North Beach Taxpayers Association of Long Beach Island.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and four children including Tracey Abby, Carole Decker, Alison Hooper-Korkuch and Richard Grant Hooper II. His sister, Virginia Purinton and his grandchildren, Ashton, Alexander, Brittany, Casey, Erin, Kelly, Kierstyn and Luke will always

miss his unique dry humor.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Spring.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, 1 East Broad Street, Westfield, New Jersey 07090.

Funeral arrangements are private under the direction of the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ. Please visit www.holcombefisher.com for further information or to send condolences.