Biography

A retired auditor for the NYS Department of Social Services, George Spitz is credited with developing and promoting the Five Borough NYC Marathon, now the most successful sports event in the city.

In 1968, George Spitz pioneered the concept of delivering welfare checks to recipients via automatic bank deposit, rather than the expensive and time-consuming mailing of checks, which led to widespread mailbox theft.

George has authored articles in New York Newsday, Daily News, USA Today, Our Town and Social Policy on various public policy issues, including Opposition to War, Social Security, Healthcare, Classic Movies, Pensions, Government Reform and Sports.

George Spitz is a former Shop Steward, Newsletter Editor and Delegate to the NYC Central Labor Council, representing the Public Employees Federation, and retired auditor for the NYS Department of Social Services. He also worked as a Shop Steward at Bloomingdales for RWDSU Local 3. He represents retirees on the Public Employees Federation Political Action Committee, and is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Civil Service Merit Council. George walked the picket line for weeks in 1941 as an employee of Gimbels in the strike that established the five day week in New York City Department Stores.

A World War II veteran, George spent 20 months overseas as a radio mechanic with the 8th Air Force. George Spitz has run 29 marathons, and held the record for oldest person to run up the Empire State Building stairs (five).

A vegetarian and quasi-pacifist, George Spitz is a member of Congregation Orach Chaim. A graduate of Columbia College, B.A. with majors in economics and accounting, George is active with Class of 1949.