George Phillip Akins, a longtime resident of Harvard, NY, took the 3:55AM train home to heaven on Saturday, January 24, 2015. George "Phil" was born in Middletown, NY, on October 27, 1932. He was the firstborn son of Phillip Henry Akins and Evelyn (Brigham) Akins. Phil lived in Hancock, NY, in his early years and moved to Harvard in 1942. He attended Downsville Central School through 1951 and when the construction of the Pepacton Dam was underway, he left school to work on the dam project and help support his family. Phil served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, 1952-1954. In the 1960's, he worked at the Queens Farms Creamery in Cannonsville, NY. He was a member of the Laborers Local 7 Union and worked for a number of years on building and road construction in NY, OH, and CT. In the 1980's, Phil got his "best job ever" operating a bulldozer for Delaware Construction in East Branch, NY. In February of 1955, Phil married June Celia Barnes of Downsville, NY. The couple lived in Deposit and Hancock,3 before returning to Harvard in the late 1950's. Phil and June moved into the Harvard Methodist Parsonage in 1960 and raised their 5 daughters there.Phil was predeceased by his wife, June, and a sister Georgeann. He is survived by his 5 devoted daughters, Cynthia (Shawn) Early of East Branch, NY, Kathy (Stanley) Giraudin of King Ferry, NY, Deborah (Peter) Early of East Branch, NY, Phyllis (Bud) Brungardt of Oxford, PA, and Patsy (Michael) Dravecky of Moravia, NY. He was a loving, attentive "Pop-Pop" to his eight grandchildren and their spouses, Aislinn (Travis) Fuller, Lindsey (Ivaylo) Rachev, Daniel Dravecky (Brandy and Ella), Andrew (Stephanie) Dravecky, Travis Early, Hillary Giraudin, and Brienne Early, and two great granddaughters, Anastasia Rachev, and Khloe Dravecky. He is also survived by two brothers, William (Lillie) Akins, and Stephen (Joy) Polomcean, as well as three sisters, Norma Bridges, Nora (J.T.) Hensley, and Hannah Rynearson. Phil leaves behind an extended family which includes several nieces and nephews, many friends and neighbors, as well as special friends, Ronald, Carolyn, and Scott Lewis, and Alicia (Ryan) Fifield. Phil was a hard-working, kind hearted, good humored man who treasured his family above all else. He delighted in visits with his children and grandchildren no matter how often or for how long. He enjoyed listening to country music, especially Johnny Cash, George Jones, and Merle Haggard- "the good stuff". He took pleasure in singing in the Harvard UMC Choir, playing his harmonicas, and "chording" his guitar. He instilled a love of music in his family and enjoyed sing-a-longs on family road trips. Phil was a faithful Buffalo Bills fan, enjoyed NASCAR races, watching John Wayne movies, and Jeopardy. He had a passion for "puttering" with his trains and had a large toy train collection, which occupied most of his time. Phil was a member of the James F. Moore American Legion Post #167, the East Branch- Harvard United Methodist Church, and was an honorary member of the East Branch Volunteer Fire Department. Contributions, in Phil's memory, can be made to the East Branch-Harvard United Methodist Church, the East Branch Fire Department, or The Smile Train.A memorial service will be planned sometime in the spring at the discretion of the family.