George Bertoia

Through the life he lived each day, George Bertoia counted every twist and turn in his journey as a genuine gift whether the highest of peaks or the deepest of valleys. He was a man of great strength and courage who thanked the God he loved for the many blessings he was given. George was a devoted father whose greatest desire was to know that his children and grandchildren were walking with Christ the Savior. With his outgoing personality and warm demeanor, he drew others near with ease. George made us laugh, he demonstrated what it means to work hard, and he taught us to love others in all things. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live on in the generations who follow him. As the year 1938 dawned on the horizon, America was again faced with a rising unemployment rate while the agricultural industry continued to rise above the darkness of a crippling drought in the nation"s heartland during what is often called the Dust Bowl. This year was met with great joy by one young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, as they welcomed a healthy baby boy on March 1st. George Andrew was the oldest of four children born to his parents, Joseph and Hazel (Underhill) Bertoia, and was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Gerald, Sue, and Bill. He loved the outdoors, spending as much time as he could hunting and fishing. George had a mischievous side, too, as evidenced by the time that he locked a friend in the trunk of the car while playing. As a teen he enjoyed roller skating and roller dancing.

For his education George attended local schools. In high school he proudly played football for the Muskegon Reds, and for the rest of his life he loved watching football at all levels. By watching his father work hard George was instilled with a strong work ethic, and when he was just 16 he left school and was hired to drive a truck until his employer learned that he was too young. He then joined the Navy instead. New and exciting changes were in store for George when he met a young woman who stole his heart. Her name was Rose Stevens, and they met while George was home on leave. After falling in love, George and Rose were married in July of 1958, when he drove his Harley home from North Carolina. Shortly thereafter, they were blessed with their first child. He remained in the Navy Reserves for a time and worked as an auto mechanic at Sears and Roebuck. With a desire to serve his nation a second time, George again enlisted into the Navy. His time in the military took him all over the world, and his family traveled around with him as he moved. When George was sent to Vietnam his family returned to Muskegon. He loved his time in the military and spent the bulk of his time on a ship, but he was also awarded with the Purple Heart for the time he spent in Vietnam.

While in the military their family grew to include five children, and once he was discharged from the Navy they moved to Detroit where their family was completed with a sixth child. While in Detroit George worked in maintenance for Great Lakes Steel, and after a few years they moved back to Muskegon. George had earned his GED while in the service, but with a desire to complete his education, George decided to take the extra credits required to earn his high school diploma and then went on to vocational school. In whatever he was doing, providing for his family was George’s main objective, even if that meant working two jobs at times. His work later took him to Muskegon Piston Ring, and when that shop closed he moved to Holland where he worked at Oven Fresh Bakery. Throughout his life George treasured his family. He adored his wife, and they made a point to focus on their relationship once a week. George and Rose enjoyed playing cards together, and he built her a beautiful rose garden. As a father he was firm but fair, and he loved taking his family camping and on a few different trips, too. His extended family was important to George, and for years he got together monthly with his siblings for dinner.

Daily life was greatly changed for George when he suffered a stroke about 25 years ago. Not long after he underwent bypass surgery that left him limited with work. George’s wife also began suffering with lupus, and she died after about five years. The days that followed were very difficult for him, but he also became more involved at the Port City Beagle Club and enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing.

After some time passed George returned to Muskegon where he later met a woman named Janice Silvis (Voss) through a newspaper ad. They shared a first date at Cracker Barrel and talked for hours. After dating for several years George and Janice were married on May 5, 2001, and he moved to Grand Rapids. They did some traveling in their travel trailer and also enjoyed playing scrabble together. George was thrilled to be a grandfather and loved spending time with his grandchildren whenever he could.

With his free time George enjoyed pursuing his many interests. He was very handy, and as a woodworker he made Jan a precious cherry recipe box. George was a sports enthusiast who was always watching sports on television, especially the Lions during football season. He was also a huge Tigers fan. George enjoyed watching cowboy movies and war stories on television and reading as well.

A humble, honest, fair, and down to earth man, George Bertoia was a gift in the lives of many. He was a devoted family man and a loyal friend who was content in all things, a firm believer that it is not things that make us happy, but that it is in the love we share with others that we are richly blessed. George will be deeply missed.

George Andrew Bertoia, age 74 of Grand Rapids, and formerly of Muskegon and Holland, went to be with his Lord on January 17, 2013. George was preceded in death by his first wife, Rose; and by his children Toni Gentz, and Joe Bertoia; granddaughter Jasmine Bertoia; stepson Jon Silvis; brother, Bill Bertoia; and brother-in-law Keith Voss. George is survived by his wife, Janice (Silvis); his children Tim (Kim) Bertoia, Steve (Loretta) Bertoia, Cindy (Terry) Lake, Nancy (Matt Pratt) Bertoia; son-in-law Harold Gentz; step children Paul (Alison) Silvis, Mark (Kim) Silvis; 21 grandchildren and 41 great grandchildren; siblings Gerald (Monda) Bertoia, Sue (Gary) Fuller; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Kathy Bertoia, Sally Bletsch, Cork (Vera) Stevens, Gladys Voss; as well as many nieces and nephews. A service to remember and celebrate George's life will be held on Sunday, February 3, 2013 at 2 PM at Northlawn United Methodist Church, 1157 Northlawn NE where friends may visit with his family from 1 PM until the service as well as for a time immediately following the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either the Disabled American Veterans or to Northlawn United Methodist Church are appreciated. To read more about George's life, to share a memory or to sign the register book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com