Samuel ‘George’ Field

Samuel George Field, 79, of Marquette, Michigan, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of June 30, 2025, at UP Health System – Marquette, after complications from renal failure. Though his body gave out, his legendary stories, sharp wit, compassion for others, and his intense love for his family live on.

Born on October 19, 1945, in Lansing, Michigan, to John F. Field and Pauleen J. (Gould) Field, George grew up in the heart of Spartan country. He attended East Lansing schools until his junior year, when he transferred to Everett High School graduating in 1963.

Following high school, George joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he gained a lifetime supply of discipline and good posture. The Marine Corp taught him the true meaning of ‘Blood Makes the Grass Grow’. These lessons combined with his passion for righteousness, his unrelenting loyalty, his love for his ‘brothers’, and his unwavering faith in a better tomorrow made him a Devil Dog forever. George was all heart, all ‘Ohh-Rah’, and exemplified the Marine Corp motto of Semper Fi.

George was a curious, creative, and truly brilliant man. Potentially considered eccentric and/or over the top to some, his larger-than-life persona knew no limits. He LOVED challenges, had an insatiable thirst for learning, and he placed an incredibly high value on education. These tenets were the driving force that led George to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Michigan State University. Michigan State University was the genesis of his academic and professional pursuits, but more importantly, MSU was where he met his future wife, dance partner, best friend, and the love of his life, Cheryl Ellen (Marsh) Field. He often commented that ‘I knew she was the one the moment I saw her.’ They married in 1969, kicking off a lifelong partnership built on mutual love, humor, and yelling at referees during Spartan games.

Professionally, George dedicated his life to the service of others, starting as a staff psychologist at Jackson Prison with the Michigan Department of Corrections. He often remarked that he could ‘feel the prison breathe’ during night shifts-a poetic sentiment for a man working in one of the state’s toughest institutions. His leadership and vision led him to administrative positions in Muskegon, then to the Upper Peninsula as head of Camp Cusino in Shingleton. Under his watch, Cusino became the model prison camp in the state of Michigan. George credited Camp Cusino’s success to his tireless, detailed, and exemplary staff who upheld his values, believed in his vision, and executed his directive that the prison would be safe and clean and that all were treated with dignity and respect. He later served as Deputy Warden of Region 2, overseeing all prison camps across Northern Michigan managing with equal parts toughness and heart.

While working for MDOC his entrepreneurial spirit was alive and well as evidenced by his purchase, resurrection and expansion of the legendary Iverson Snowshoe brand. Never one to rest, George partnered with his son’s Ken and Mike to open Skating Dynamics Inc, a hockey skills development company, followed by RinkDirectory.com, and later Field Candy Company.

After retiring from state work, George couldn’t quite sit still. In 2001, he founded Access Psychological PC, returning to his first love: clinical psychology. With warmth, candor, and his signature ‘you’re not leaving until we solve this’ energy, he helped countless clients, many of whom came from the MDOC community. George deeply respected the people in gray uniform and considered it a privilege to walk alongside them during their most difficult moments.

Above all, George was a family man. His proudest roles were those of husband, father, and grandfather. Whether in the stands at a football game, pacing the sidelines of a little league field, or bellowing ‘BLUE THUNDER/WHITE LIGHTNING’ from the bleachers of a frigid hockey arena, he was always his sons’ and grandsons’ biggest supporters ­ often loud enough to get a side-eye from nearby spectators.

Samuel George Field AKA ‘The Warden, Jorge, Gramps, Doc, and even That MFer’ by some is survived by his deeply devoted wife of 56 years, Cheryl Field; sons Kenny Field and Mike Field; grandsons Sean Field and Gordie Field; daughter-in-law Lindsay, sister Melissa, nephew Christian, niece MacKenzie, sister/brother-in-law Pam/John Liford. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauleen.

True to form, George requested no formal service, stating, ‘Just get together, tell some stories, share some laughs, and know I love you all so much.’ And that’s exactly what will happen later this summer, when friends and loved ones will gather to celebrate a life that was equal parts grit, grace, and unmatched generosity.

He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family where memories may be shared at canalefuneral.com