The waters of Barnegat Bay are sparkling a little less brilliantly this week as we mourn the loss of a wonderful friend and a source of strength to Save Barnegat Bay, George Chase. George headed Save Barnegat Bay's Project Video, for which he produced, on a volunteer basis, polished productions celebrating nature at Island Beach State Park and elsewhere. His works enrich the viewer's understanding of nature in varied ways, explaining how to plant dune grass, explaining how to raise an Osprey pole, and recording the history of Double Trouble State Park, of Beach Buggies at Island Beach, and of old timers. George was an artist. His quiet strength expressed itself in his art and in his commitment to use his talent for the benefit of nature in an era in which nature needs help. A frequent presence in Save Barnegat Bay's office, George always arrived with a smile and news of successes achieved. We at Save Barnegat Bay offer our deepest condolences to George's wife Diane Bennett-Chase, who is equally our friend, and who shares George's exemplary commitment to a better and more natural world. Though we have lost those future years of collaborative effort that we so casually anticipated, the memory of George's inspiring presence and the fact of his work live on as a source of strength. * * * * * * From the Asbury Park Press: GEORGE CHASE AGE: 67 BARNEGAT George Chase, 67, of Barnegat, passed away Friday, march 13, 2009, surrounded by his loved ones, after suffering a massive stroke. He was born and raised in West Orange. George earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Temple University and a Master of Arts at Newark State College. He went on to teach film and animation at Columbia High School for over 30 years and was also an adjunct professor of film for Montclair State. He retired in 2000 and moved to Barnegat, where he continued to dedicate his time and skills in the arts to Island Beach State Park and Save Barnegat Bay's Project Video. He also pursued his passion for sailing and devoted himself to nurturing his family. George is survived by his wife and best friend, Diane Bennett-Chase; his three loving daughters, Laura and her husband Stephen Keller of Morris Plains and their three children, Abigail and her husband Erik Galardi of Furlong, Pa. and their son, and Sarah Chase of Oakland, Calif. He is also survived by his three stepchildren, Noelle, Kris, and Noah and their families; and his brother, Gene Chase and wife Betty of Granite Falls, N.C. A memorial will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21, with the service beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Drive, Manahawkin. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Emily deCamp Herbarium, c/o Save Barnegat Bay, 906B Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ 08735, or The Smile Train, 41 Madison Ave., 28th Floor, NY, NY 10010. Condolences and stories may also be shared with family and friends at www.waiteforme.com.