By Nicole Hamilton
Enquirer staff writer

NORWOOD - One of things George Griesemer enjoyed as the curriculum coordinator for the Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation was overseeing the work disabled clients performed at various organizations around town.

His job "wasn't always easy," said his wife, Mary L. Griesemer of Norwood, "but it brought him a lot of joy."

George W. Griesemer died Thursday at Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash after a long illness. The Norwood resident was 76.

His wife said his shy and quiet nature helped him in his career because people felt comfortable around him.

"Everyone who met him loved his quietness. If there was ever a conflict ... he would just be patient, and eventually people would come to see the situation as George did," said his wife.

Raised in Pueblo, Colo., he earned a degree from the University of Denver and served in the U.S. Maritime Service during the Korean War, before joining the Good Shepherd Brotherhood in Albuquerque.

The group, which fed and housed homeless people and helped those with various disabilities, sent him to their facility in Wakefield, Ohio, and soon after, he met his future wife, Mary, when he came to care for her retarded brother, Bill.

Around 1972 they moved to Cincinnati and Mr. Griesemer began his work with the Hamilton County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities while completing his master's degree in special education from the University of Cincinnati.

He held various jobs in the Hamilton County MRDD, including serving briefly as a principal for special education programs.

His last role with the organization, before he retired around 1997, was as curriculum coordinator.

"Living with George changed all of us. He taught us how to accept people and the fact that they deal with situations in their own way," his wife said.

Other survivors include two daughters, Julie Wharton of Florence, and Mary J. Griesemer of Norwood; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, at Holy Trinity Church, 2420 Drex Ave., Norwood.

Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at the church.

Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cincinnati, c/o Bethesda Foundation, PO Box 633597, Cincinnati, 45236-3597, Circle of Angels, 2730 Observatory Ave., Cincinnati, 45208, or to Holy Trinity Church, 2420 Drex Ave., Norwood, 45212.

E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com