It is with great sadness that we share the loss of one of the founding staff members of the Jersey Surf organization, George W. Cherry, who passed away earlier this week.

"George was a great friend, a talented, creative and passionate designer and instructor and an instrumental part of the founding of the Jersey Surf organization," said Surf Executive Director Bob Jacobs. "His sense of humor, incredible commitment to the success of the corps and his love for each of the members he instructed will remain with us forever."

The corps' first color guard caption head, George helped to recruit and train several hundred performers during his decade of service to the organization. He shared his love for dance and performance with every member of the corps in each of the years he taught here. Increased professional commitments in recent years prevented his continued day-to-day involvement with the corps, but he remained a valued friend and advisor to the program. After ending his performing career with the acclaimed Esquire Senior Winter Guard, George continued to enjoy the color guard activity as an instructor and designer with several area high school marching bands and winter guard programs spanning several seasons.


"George was here from the very, very beginning," Jacobs said. "He was on board with the corps when we had no equipment and not much more than the dreams of what we wanted the corps to be. His contributions to the founding of the corps extend well beyond the performance field. He will remain one of the most beloved instructors in the history of our organization for the manner in which he motivated and inspired everyone who had the good fortune of meeting him, even if for only one rehearsal... I can't think of a higher compliment for a great person and a treasured friend. Although we miss him already, George's passion will remain an inspiration for future generations of Jersey Surf performers. We're profoundly saddened by this loss, but grateful that he was such an instrumental part of the early development of the organization."