George Anthony Linnehan, Jr.

George Anthony Linnehan Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on August 15, 2026, following a cardiac arrest after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 79 years old.

George was born on March 29, 1947, and grew up in Levittown, Long Island, in the house directly next to Division Avenue High School, where he would eventually graduate. His childhood home was also part of his family's history. His father, George “Doc” Linnehan Sr., was a chiropractor, and his chiropractic office was originally located in the family home before Doc opened County Sports, the sporting-goods store that would become central to the Linnehan family and to George's life.

George was an active and adventurous young man. At Division Avenue High School, he played lacrosse as a goalie until a knee injury ended his playing days. He enjoyed surfing as a teenager and had a motorcycle in his early 20's. Before settling into the family business, he held a number of jobs, including the unusual job of oyster farmer.

But it was County Sports-and especially softball-that would become one of the defining passions of George's life.

County Sports was far more than a sporting-goods store. Under Doc Linnehan, it became synonymous with elite softball on Long Island and throughout the country. The original County Sports team won the ASA National Championship in 1968, and the organization became one of the most celebrated names in amateur softball.

George followed his father into that world. In 1976, George became manager of the County Sports “A” softball team, beginning a remarkable chapter of his own. His teams traveled throughout the country to compete in tournaments, often working within modest budgets and making the most of every opportunity to play. In 1978, his County Sports team finished the season with a 55-24 record; in 1980, the team went 60-20 and finished tied for fifth at the USSSA A National Championship. In 1981, they won the USSSA A World Championship in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Softball was not simply a sport George watched or played. It was a community and a way of life. County Sports brought together generations of players, families, friends, and fans, and George was proud to be part of that tradition. His father had built the legacy; George carried it forward in his own way.

The importance of County Sports has endured. The history of the team has been preserved in the documentary by Bobby Cassidy, The Legend of County Sports, which includes George himself among the people who tell the story of the legendary team and its players.

George's love of sports extended beyond softball. He played flag football as well, and there is a family story from his honeymoon in the Poconos in September 1971 that perfectly captures his competitive spirit. One morning, he woke up early, drove all the way back to Long Island to play in his flag-football game (leaving his new bride behind in their honeymoon suite), and then drove back to the Poconos afterward. Years later, George himself confirmed that the story was true.

County Sports also became a family business in the truest sense. George worked alongside his brother Bill, and later generations of the family- including his daughter and nephews Billy and Brendan- became part of the business through County Sports and Uniform Pros. For George, work and family were often inseparable, and the relationships formed through those businesses remained an important part of his life.

George was a man of many chapters. He was a Levittown kid who grew up beside his high school; a lacrosse goalie; a surfer; an oyster farmer; a motorcycle rider; a softball manager; a businessman; and a devoted sportsman. He was competitive, hardworking, independent, and energetic, with a personality and a collection of stories that made him memorable to the people who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Thelmi; his children, Jillian Linnehan-Reed, Shannon Linnehan, and Nicholas Linnehan; his stepchildren, Maria and Joseph Ceparano; and his grandchildren, Cal Reynolds, Connor Reynolds, Tyler Linnehan, Justin St. Denis, Ryan St. Denis, and Lillian Ceparano.

He is also survived by his brother Bill, a softball star in his own right, and his brother James, legally James Van Buren Stinchcomb, a well-known artist and longtime collegiate art-history professor. He leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, former teammates, and members of the extended County Sports family, including his nephew John Paul Begley, son of his late sister Celeste.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George “Doc” Linnehan Sr. and Martha Stinchcomb Linnehan, and his sister Celeste.

In his later years, George experienced a period of personal growth and reflection. He became increasingly thoughtful, patient, caring, and supportive of the people around him. Like all lives, his was complicated and imperfect, but he continued to grow and change throughout the years. Those who knew him well saw a softer and more reflective side of the competitive young man he had once been.

George's life was defined by family, friendship, hard work, sports, and an enduring connection to the people and places that shaped him. Above all, he leaves behind a remarkable collection of stories- stories of softball fields and long drives, family businesses and lifelong friendships, youthful adventures and the people he loved.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A private cremation will take place in Florida, attended by his wife, Thelmi, and her children. A memorial service celebrating George's life will be held on October 10, 2026, at the home of his daughter Jillian and her husband, Mike Reed, in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, where family and friends will gather to remember and celebrate his life.