George Craig Atkinson of Champaign, passed away at 8:40 PM on Saturday August 21 at home. He was born on November 22, 1958 in Chicago, to Hugh C and Mary N. Atkinson. He is survived by his mother Mary, of Urbana (Joe Behrends) sister Anne Pierce (Rick) sister Mary Van Cleave (Bill) longtime partner Beth Geitmann, uncles George Nugent (Marilyn) and Walter Nugent (SueEllen) aunt Mary Beth Knox (Jim) many close cousins, and nieces and nephews Jean, Clare, Aidan  Maddy, Elly, Isabelle, Michael, Mattie, Josh and Jeremy. He was preceded in death by his father, Hugh C. Atkinson, the former University of Illinois Librarian. George was a research chemist for a number of years before becoming a high school physical science, physics and chemistry teacher at Chrisman High School. His 26 years of former students will remember him fondly. He was an avid reader, huge Illini fan and a man with a wicked sense of humor. His favorite spot was our family cottage in Northern New York on the shore of Lake Ontario. George loved his family and really enjoyed swimming and watching the changing seasons by the water.  A funeral mass will be held at 10 am, Saturday August 28, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 708 W Main St. Urbana, Illinois 61801.  A gathering for friends and family will follow at noon, at Elly Pierce's, 6 Barton Ct, Champaign, Ill, 61802. Memorials may be made to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank. Condolences may be sent to renner-wikoffchapel.com