MACON, Ga. (WGXA) — The Israel household was full of three generations, bringing each other comfort as they mourned the loss of their father, husband and former Macon Mayor George Matthew Israel III. Israel died on Sunday, July 26, and his family says having each other is what has been getting them through this difficult time. "We've all said it has been kind of a saving grace in all of this," said Israel's granddaughter Greta O'Hara. "It's obviously very hard, but just being able to sit at the kitchen table and look at memories and share stories that none of us had ever heard before and to see different glimpses of him that none of us had ever seen before has been a really big blessing and to kind of carry it all together." Israel served as mayor from 1979 to 1987 and oversaw the first of many major Macon events, including the first International Cherry Blossom Festival, for which he cut the ribbon in 1983. IN YOUR COMMUNITY | Officials break ground on new Macon Arena set to open in late 2028 During Mayor Israel's tenure, his wife, Pam Israel, stood by his side as the two had been married for over 50 years. She said she was "just the woman behind the man," and although she wasn't always out front with her husband, he always had her support since he became a Macon City Council member in 1975. "I remember when he came home and said I think I'm going to run for city council and I was like, ' Okay, I'm not sure what that means, but okay'," said Mrs. Israel. "It was always…
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