After a brave battle with brain cancer over the past year, he passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family.

“His influence has left an indelible mark on his loved ones, Crestron, the AV industry and all those that were fortunate enough to know him … His spirit will live on in all that he touched,” a spokesperson for the company says.

George, who was awarded the CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, started Crestron in 1971.

From its humble beginnings, George grew Crestron to encompass 27 offices worldwide. Under his direction Crestron has pioneered cutting-edge innovations in the field of control and automation, including the VT Series, the first touch panel to feature colour, video and computer graphics, SmarTouch, the world’s first RF wireless control system, CNMSX-PRO, the first IP-based control system and e-Control, the first internet-based control technology.