George Albert Elwell

George Albert Elwell, (89). Youngest child of Minnie and Albert, born on July 24, 1921 on a farm in Oak Park, Minnesota. Always was a go-getter. Had to be busy all the time, probably from his upbringing on the farm. George only completed his education through the 8th grade, but he was a learned man. And if he did not know how to do something, he would find out how, and if he was lucky, find some unwilling soul, to teach also. When World War II broke out, George left the farm and enlisted in the Merchant Marines. On one of his passes back to the states, he married Dolores in New York City on August 16, 1943. The honeymoon didn’t last very long, George had to go back and fight a war and Dolores was one of the many “Rosie the Riveters” at the old Desota plant, which at that time was converted into a war plant making tanks and planes. After the war ended, George came back home and he and Dolores made their first home in Dearborn, Michigan. On July 9, 1946, their one and only child was born, Pat. George was a first cook on a troop carrier during the war, so, fittingly, his first job, after the war, was a cook on the freighters for McNichols Shipping. George worked for them until Pat was about 6, then whenever George would leave for a haul, she would have a hissy fit, so that was the end of the freighters. From there he went to Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn and finally Bon Secours Hospital in Grosse Pointe, where he retired from. George and Dolores enjoyed many wonderful years together, 67 to be exact. They loved to travel and spent many vacations with Pat and her family. He spent many hours and weekends with his grandson, Brian and Keith, and spoiled them rotten. After Pat lost her husband, Patrick, he was always there for Pat and the boys, helping them and teaching them. No one could have asked for a better husband, dad, and poppa. His great-grandchildren, Morgan, Raegan, Kennedy and Brooke have also been blessed to have had him in their lives. Morgan recently told Pat, “When Poppa dies, it just won’t seem right, its’ always been Grandma and Poppa.” The youngest, Brooke, will celebrate her 7th birthday this week and she needs to remember her Poppa not leaving her at that time, but going to a better place in heaven and watching over her, Kennedy, Morgan, and Raegan.

George Albert Elwell

July 24, 1921 - October 27, 2010