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George Findling

September 19, 1942 ~ April 17, 2018 (age 75)

George Matthew Findling Jr. was a man of great character and integrity who led a life filled with numerous experiences, always focused on his family and friends.

George was born in Detroit on Sept. 19, 1942, the eldest of six brothers. During high school his parents moved the family to a farm in St. Clair where the brothers could roam freely. George told many stories of his time on the farm, including carrying lit candles through tunnels made of hay, ziplining from the hayloft into the leech infested creek, and generally terrorizing the neighbors. Despite his disastrous attempt at making wine in the dorm linen closet, he graduated with a degree from Western Michigan University in accounting. Soon after college, in 1965, George married Gloria (Barry), moved to St. Clair Shores, and started his career with General Motors.  

Throughout his life, George would be sure to spend time with his brothers and friends - from summer vacations on Burt Lake, hunting and fishing trips, golfing and scuba diving to cheering on U of M football with his buddies.

After their two children were born, living in Troy and then Bloomfield Hills, George embraced every opportunity to spend time with his children with annual summer road trips being a highlight of these years. 

Professionally, George was passionate about making an impact on a company’s performance and being part of its success. As such, he joined Akzo Nobel as VP of Resin Division and CFO. He began travelling internationally for business, many times accompanied by his wife, to such places as Netherlands, France, Great Britain, Indonesia and Japan. After many years, looking for a place to spend time with family and friends (and an excuse to perfect his signature BBQ recipe), “Rib-Man” George found their summer place on Torch Lake. After helping his children in every imaginable way from dispensing sage advice on the best mutual funds to how to start a Weber grill, George and Gloria retired to Petoskey, MI. There, they joined St. Francis Xavier parish. George had a strong spiritual life, praying daily for his family and friends. While in Petoskey, they were regular attendees at their grandchildren’s countless events.  Bored with retirement, George took a job with Petoskey’s Mitchell Graphics as CFO, and recently celebrated his 10-year work anniversary. Another highlight, George was blessed to see his oldest granddaughter married just last year.

Summer weekends would find him with family and friends at their Torch Lake cottage out on “Papa Boat”, listening to Kingston Trio, pulling kids on the tube, swimming, “fishing”, and spending time with lifelong friends in Traverse City.  The crown jewel of summer was always the Annual BroFest event, which brought all of George’s brothers and their families together for one long week of madness.

He will be missed by Gloria, his wife of 52 years, his children Patrick (Mary Ann) and Deborah (Greg) Gagnon, his grandchildren Julia (Jon) Pillen, Alaina, Gillian, William and Charlotte, brothers Michael (Lynn), Dennis (Carol), John (Karen), James (Colleen), Gary (Melanie) and their families.

There will be a visitation at Stone Funeral Home in Petoskey on Sunday April 22 from 3-5pm, with Rosary at 4pm. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Xavier on Monday, April 23 at 10:30am, with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the service.

As George would want, the family suggests memorial donations to St. Michael Academy of Petoskey.

https://www.stonefuneralhomeinc.com/obituary/George-Findling