George Jorkasky

George Patrick Jorkasky – Age 89, of Flushing, MI, passed away Friday, September 17, 2021. George Jorkasky lived an American Dream from a recent, different time. Born on December 11, 1931 in Altoona, PA to a family challenged to reach beyond lower-middle-class, Jorkasky drove himself and others toward a better life for himself and his family. As railroads and coal mining gave way to a new manufacturing boom, Jorkasky served his country as a National Guard Private in the Korean War, earning an honorable discharge in 1952. Soon thereafter, George married the love of his life, Dorothy Marie Hebler on September 26, 1953 among family and friends in Altoona, PA.

Always a hard worker who enjoyed a quip, a good one-liner and making the day more fun with humor, Jorkasky learned his industrial crafts as a Journeyman Bricklayer, a General Motors Millwright and then, as many around him in Pennsylvania did, moved his wife and two kids to Flint, MI for a cherished 30-year run as a Crane Repairman and Maintenance specialist at General Motors. Proud of his drive and the opportunities it afforded him, Jorkasky regularly took the overtime and weekend shifts for more pay and a better life for his family. He also found time to earn a degree from Mott Community College.

Affectionately nick-named “Pork” by friends and family, Jorkasky never forgot his roots as he regularly returned to celebrate life at the Polish Legion Hall in Altoona, PA. George also gravitated to Frankenmuth for its celebratory heritage and embracing of all things Christmas. At his essence, Jorkasky never forgot the joys of being a kid and made up for his hard-scrabble childhood by trying to lift up and enjoy the kids around him, be it his own, his nieces and nephews and the grandchildren that would come later. Sandusky’s Cedar Point and Flint area ice cream stores owe George a debt of gratitude.

Jorkasky lost his wife Dorothy way too early after a courageous battle with cancer. Upon retirement, George embraced sailing, tending to his wife’s grave and memories, helping near-by friends working at a local grocery-party store and making new friends beyond family at area restaurants as they lovingly endured his array of one-liners, quips and “gleam in the eye” stories. George loved people.

George Jorkasky is survived by his brother Richard (New Port Richey, FL), daughter Mary Lou (Rob – Gaines, MI), and grandchildren Derek Carroll (Monica – Gaines, MI), Jason Jorkasky (Tami – Haslett, MI), Amanda McLean (Patrick – Laingsburg, MI), Justin Jorkasky (Sarah – Traverse City, MI), Kurt Carroll (Connie – Swartz Creek, MI), Sara Kaufer (Aaron – Clarkston, MI)  Joshua Jorkasky (Sarah – Midland, MI) and Jared Jorkasky (Shannon – Traverse City, MI).

George was preceded in death by his parents Chester and Lucy Jorkasky, his beloved wife Dorothy, Son George B. Jorkasky and two brothers – Wally and Chester Jorkasky, Jr. His beloved daughter-in-law, Melinda Jorkasky, also succumbed to cancer.

Special thanks to Grand Blanc Fields and the Mid-Michigan Home Health and Hospice team for their excellent care for George.

Funeral service will be held 12 PM, Wednesday, September 22, 2021 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek. Funeral service will be live streamed on George's obituary page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. Burial will follow in New Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Flint. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service Wednesday. Those desiring may make contributions to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.