Longtime New York antiques dealer George Walowen died at his home on July 5 of a heart attack. He was 82.

George was in the antiques business for more than 30 years. In the 1960s, working as a professional artist for Rahl Studios in Manhattan, he and his partner Michael Schneider began buying and selling historical Staffordshire. After purchasing a weekend home in Walker Valley, N.Y., they opened a shop catering to the Catskill Mountain tourist crowd.

Things went well and they progressed to doing antique shows in the area and closed the shop. Their specialties grew to include American folk art, weathervanes, hooked rugs, stoneware and painted furniture.

In the 1970s and 1980s as folk art grew in popularity, so did the shows. Under the name Walowen & Schneider/Walker Valley Antiques, George and Mike exhibited in the American Museum of Folk Art show at the Navy Pier in New York City, Bill Walker’s original Rhinebeck Show and many outdoor venues including Russell Carrell’s legendary Antiques in a Cow Pasture. The Rhinebeck Show became a favorite and George participated in it for 25 years. After Michael Schneider’s death in 1997, George continued to do shows with the help of his devoted niece and fellow antiquer, Marianne Kuzmerchuk.

Due to his recent failing health, George made the reluctant decision to give up “the business.” He will always be remembered for his wonderful paintings and his love of nature, Cape Cod, his beloved daschunds and most of all his family. He is survived by six brothers and sisters and many nieces and nephews – all who loved him very much.

Donations in George’s name may be made to All Saints of Russia Orthodox Church, Jansen Road, Box 287, Pine Bush NY 12566.

May his memory be eternal.

-Marianne Kuzmerchuk