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In Memory

George Franklin Forray - Class Of 1951 VIEW PROFILE

  

George Franklin Forray, Sr

(April 13, 1933-July 17, 2022)

George died peacefully at his daughter Mary’s home in Caye Caulker, Belize, along with his only Grandson Matthew and his eldest Granddaughter Alex after his 13 year journey with Dementia. George was a first generation American born in South Bend, Indiana to Alexander and Elizabeth who arrived at Ellis Island from Hodmezovasarhely, Hungary in 1922. He grew up on a farm on the Northside of South Bend along with his parents and seven siblings Alex, Frank, Goldie, Eugene, Elizabeth, Mary and Jimmy. He graduated from Washington Clay High School in 1951 and joined the U.S. Air Force where he trained with the Air Police and was sent to England. It was in England at Burtonwood Air Base where he met Patricia Boardman, a secretary from the base, on a blind date.

They would meet again when Patricia decided to travel to the US to finally meet her WWII pen friend who ironically lived in Goshen, Indiana. After a short courtship, they married on February 11, 1956 and began life with very little. George is survived by his two sons George Jr. (Jennifer Niles Forray), Paul (Patricia Boomhower), daughter Mary Spillane, Granddaughters Alexandra and Andrea Forray, Grandson Matthew Spillane, sister Elizabeth Lemanski and his youngest brother James “Jimmy”.

George dedicated his life to hard work and found his way to his post military career as a Tool & Die Maker founding United Tool & Engineering in Mishawaka, Indiana with three partners in 1972. After 36 years of growing the business, he sold his share and retired on January 1, 2008. He lived the American Dream and their hard work paid off. Together with Patricia, they enjoyed extensive travel, staying close to Pat's family in England and his Burtonwood Air Base buddies at reunions as well as trips abroad with good friends. In his early years he had many jobs, he bartended at The Linebacker Lounge and had his foray into bowling with his Friday night mens league. They were members at McKinley Terrace pool, The Elks Club, Turners, Marco Island Yacht Club and founding Life Members at Knollwood Country Club, as being social was a big part of their life together. They loved to dance, laugh, enjoy cocktails, dinner parties, cruises, road trips and entertaining together at their homes. They shared the wealth they had worked hard for and gave generously to many charities. During their married life they were lifelong parishioners at St. Pius X in Granger where George was an Usher at the 12:00 Mass while Pat was on the altar as a Eucharistic Minister. When wintering in Marco Island, Florida they were also parishioners at San Marco Catholic Church as Catholicism was also a big part of their lives.

He had a big heart, great sense of humor, gave great advice, loved his grandkids, enjoyed talking about politics and the stock market, never bragged nor boasted about his success, never complained, and was never afraid to pick up the tab. We enjoyed many four hour family dinners at Pat’s Pub in Mishawaka and loved that no one was ever a stranger to our parents. He asked about his friends, family and Patricia until the very end. He will be dearly missed by us but we know he is in a much better place and are certain Patricia aka “Lovie” was there to meet him with his favorite cocktail. Godspeed to this tough Hungarian Gypsy.

We would like to give a special thank you to the multiple caregivers who treated him with respect, reverence and compassion. You know who you are, but just to name a few, Renee, Precious, Sandy & Denny, Lawanda, Dani, Jason, Tessa and of course Matthew and the staff at Senior One Healthcare.

There will be no funeral home service but instead a small family and friends celebration of life when his cremains return from the Caribbean.

Posted online on July 23, 2022

Published in South Bend Tribune

 

09/22/2022 EJS



Click here to see George Franklin's last Profile entry.