George Weir with wife Cynthia, is one of the 2021 Escondido Legends chosen by the Escondido History Center. The honorariums are for seniors from high schools in Escondido.
ESCONDIDO — In the seventh of eight 2021 Escondido Legend biographies, the Escondido History Center introduces the Baker family. The Center will present a $1,000 honorarium, in their name, to an outstanding senior from a high school in Escondido.
George Weir was born in Escondido and has lived here all of his life. His wife, Cynthia, was born in Michigan and moved to California at the age of two. After graduating from high school in San Diego, her family moved to Escondido. George and Cynthia met and eventually married in 1994. These fated events have become an unparalleled benefit to our Escondido community.
George Weir was very active while attending Escondido High School, graduating in 1972. He served as associated student body vice-president, was involved in the Key Club, the Cougar Knights, various sports, the high school orchestra and band, and had time to become an Eagle Scoutand went on to attend San Diego State University majoring in Spanish and Zoology, graduating in 1979. While at the university, he earned extra money by driving his father’s pick-up truck through the neighborhoods, soliciting business by offering to patch people’s driveways and fixing potholes. He learned his business acumen from his father Bill Weir, a well-known and loved elementary school teacher. In 1979, George W. Weir Asphalt Construction, Inc. was founded. This company grew and became the foundation for seven related Escondido-based businesses.
Cynthia attended Palomar College, taking classes in accounting, theater, and interior design, earning an AA Degree. Marriage and motherhood sidelined further formal education, but she studied painting, especially watercolors, and eventually taught art classes at the Poway Adult School and several other venues. She also served as vice-president of a local private School Board. She currently sits on the Board of Trustees for The California Center For The Arts, after having served as the board chair for four years, and co-chair of The Women’s Art Council. She has a passion for the arts, interior design, landscape design, architecture and when time allows, enjoys playing the mandolin.
Much of what The George and Cynthia Weir Family Foundation has sponsored is centered on a faith-based giving of their time, talent and treasure. They have pursued these ideals to the benefit of Escondido and its citizens. George W. Weir Asphalt Construction volunteered to fill hundreds of potholes throughout Escondido, at no cost to the city, beginning in 2010. The Weir family sponsored the skate park at Kit Carson Park and worked to create The Heritage Garden in downtown Escondido. This is just a sampling of the philanthropic activities of these two remarkable Escondido citizens.
Cynthia and George have a wide range of separate and concentric philanthropic interests. They have donated hundreds of turkeys to the annual Thanksgiving celebration for the local Salvation Army and funded its winter shelter program. The pair are founding members of the California Center For The Arts and provided their cranes for installing the Niki de Saint Phalle sculpture exhibit.
They have sponsored concerts and events such as the Holiday Tree Lighting and Winter Wonderland festival, as well as spearheading several exterior renovation projects. They provided for the disposal of 150,000 yards of rock and soil for the construction of the new Palomar Medical Center. Their wide-ranging patronage has led them to support the Alternatives Medical Clinic, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego, orphanages in Baja California, Mexico, World Vision, Samaritan’s Purse and other national and international faith-based organizations.
The Weirs have supported many athletic, music, grad nights and scholarships for the local Escondido high schools. They also provided the labor and equipment for installing the rubberized track at the Bob Wilson Stadium and Chick Embrey Field.
Cynthia and George have been recognized by many organizations the years. They are founding members of The Escondido Charitable Foundation and are honorees of the Rotary Coeur de Cuisine. George was awarded the 2019 Business Leader of the Year by Cal State San Marcos, and Cynthia’s design for the grounds for their home received the Sweepstakes Award for the California Landscape Contractors Association, which was then featured in The San Diego Home Garden Lifestyles Magazines. Both have been recognized by the North County Philanthropy Council for their heart for Escondido.
Very deservingly, Cynthia and George Weir are 2021 Escondido Forever Legends.
The Escondido History Center has established a Dec. 8, 2021 application deadline for the next round of Escondido Legend $1,000 honorariums, provided by Jack Raymond. The honorariums are for senior students from high schools in Escondido. Applications, for each of the eight 2021 Escondido Legend’s honorariums, are available from high school counselors, at the History Center’s office in Grape Day Park (open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or at escondidohistory.org. The presentation of the honorariums is planned for Jan. 26, 2022.
