George Paul Brancato

After a beautiful fall afternoon with his niece, Lesley, our Uncle George Paul Brancato peacefully slipped away in the wee hours of October 3, 2024 - reuniting after almost 11 months with his beloved "Barb" (nee Gordinier). At the age of 97, he represented the last of our family's "Greatest Generation".

Soft spoken, small in stature, big in heart, kind, Godly, steadfast and reliable, great sense of humor - humongous appetite! Just some of the images that come to mind when we reflect on Uncle George. A man of faith.

George was born February 13, 1927 in Springfield, Illinois to parents Angelo and Rosina (nee Paolletto) Brancato, joining his sister, Jane.

George proudly served in the U.S. Coast Guard as a radioman, being honorably discharged in 1946. He described having to pull himself up a rope to get to the top of the mast if the stairs were too slippery. (And to this day, it amazes family that he never learned to swim!).

Following his time in the service, George graduated from Greenville College where he pitched for their varsity baseball team and also enjoyed singing in a traveling men's ensemble.

Shortly after graduating from college, he began attending Parkway Heights Free Methodist Church in Redford Township. It was in the young adult group that he met, fell in love with and married Barbara Lou Gordinier, September 17, 1955.

Both he and Aunt Barbara remained actively involved at Parkway, faithfully serving in many capacities, from their early marriage through retirement. Thru their church involvement, they made many enduring friendships that also continued beyond their retirement years. For many years George faithfully taught the adult Sunday School class (in-depth preparation for on Saturdays!), was the congregational song leader for worship service and also sang in the church choir.

During the time he was working on his Masters of Social Work degree from Wayne State University, he served as a clinical social worker and later, the director of what was known at the time as the Protestant Childrens Home in Grosse Pte. He later served as a social worker at the Hawthorn Center in Northville, from which he eventually retired. You didn't need to spend much time with Uncle George to appreciate how well suited he was to the "helping profession". Fondly known as "Mr.B", he seemed to just naturally possess the heart and temperament of a counselor who was able to get kids and adults alike to "open up", by being sensitive and understanding, offering gentle yet helpful guidance. No one was a more appreciative recipient of that than another niece, Jeri Lee, who eventually became and remained as a sort of "semi-adoptive daughter" of both he and Aunt Barbara's.

Uncle George reveled in family and friend get-togethers - whether it was the monthly "family nites" that went on for 50+ years, cutting-up with his brothers-in-law on the golf course, holidays, casual home visits, road trip vacations with family or friends from church - or pretty much anything that included food! (His appetite, legendary, and photography "skills" a source of hilarity at family gatherings.)

I personally have never known a man of deeper faith. A man, who thru all the medical trials that came his way later in life, maintained an air of peace and grace. There was nothing small about Uncle George's faith, or his heart, or his devotion to his wife, Barbara. Nothing small about the man, George Paul Brancato.

George was predeceased by his wife, Barbara, his sister Jane, and both parents. He is survived by many nephews and nieces and some dear friends and cousins. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the unfailingly warm, attentive care Uncle George received from Tanglewood Assisted Living as well as Trinity Hospice Care. There will be a memorial service at the Great Lakes National Military Cemetery in Holly, Michigan in May 2025, with further information forthcoming at a later date.