Obituaries

George P. Brach

Died Dec. 11, 2015

SUTTONS BAY – George Paul Brach, 81, of Suttons Bay, passed away Friday, Dec. 11, 2015 at Tendercare of Leelanau with family at his side.

George was born on Oct. 8, 1934, in Wellston, Michigan, the son of Paul and Yara (Sekanina) Brach.  On June 20, 1959 in Suttons Bay, he married Ruby Lee, who survives.

Born at the height of Great Depression and growing up during World War II, George was nothing if not resourceful.  He learned how to farm, hunt, and fish at an early age and helped his family eke out a living at a challenging time.  George had a way with animals, especially dogs (black labs being his favorite), but his pet crows and his pet deer, Bucket, are the stuff of family legend.  He instilled a deep love and respect for nature in his children and this is part of his enduring legacy.

After serving two years in the U.S. Army, George attended college briefly before continuing on to learn electronics and television repair at Potter Distributing in Grand Rapids.  He met his beloved and future wife, Ruby, while working for her father, Donovan Lee, in the 1950s.  George and Ruby’s devotion and dedication to one another was profound, beautiful, and lifelong.  With this love made manifest, they raised four children while running their business, Brach’s TV and Antenna Sales and Service, for over four decades.  George retired in 2002.

George was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, canoeing, fishing, mushrooming, and golfing. He spent most deer seasons on Beaver Island where he had a knack for trekking into some of the most difficult, swampy terrain.  He was fond of long road trips and would often take unexpected turns that led to adventures and misadventures of their own.  “Not to worry,” became an anxiety-producing phrase for all members of his family during these trips.

Possessing a strong commitment to his community, George led an active civic life.  He was a vital member the Rotary Club of Suttons Bay for many years and received the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International.  He served as the president of the Suttons Bay school board and was a longtime member of the Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce.  He touched many lives and was always willing to lend help to those in need.

The last twelve years of George’s life were shaped by his struggle with Parkinson’s Disease, a malady that slowly took away his ability to walk, feed himself, and talk.  It was devastating to watch the disease’s progression in a man who had always embodied unrelenting strength and vigor. Unbowed, George and Ruby worked as a team and met the disease with dignity and grace that were inspirational and touching.  If there is any blessing in George’s passing, it’s that he is finally free of that terrible disease.

In addition to his loving wife of 56 years, George is survived by his children, Suzanne (Cole) Shoemaker, Lynne (Michael Jarvis) Brach, Paul Brach, George “Rusty” (Kevin Sharp) Brach II; grandchildren, Eric, Gina, and Alex Shoemaker, Forest and Morgan Jarvis, and Erin Brach.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann; and brothers, Louis Brach, Henry Dorner, and Fred Dorner.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, at 3:30pm at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church, 218 W Madison St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.  The Rev. Dr. Robin Carden will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy, P.O. Box 1006, Leland, MI 49654; Tendercare of Leelanau Activities Fund, 124 W. Fourth St., Suttons Bay, MI 49682; or Leelanau Christian Neighbors’ “Blessings in a Backpack” program, 310 S. Elm St, Suttons Bay, MI 49682.

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