George T. Fornadley, Jr.

GEORGE T. FORNADLEY, JR age 88, beloved husband for 53 years of Donna (nee Dekleva); cherished son of the late George, Sr. and Helen (nee Torok); dearest brother of Geraldine Miller (husband William deceased); treasured brother-in-law of Dorothy & the late Albert Tusek and Carole & Richard Kolic; dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin and friend of many. Survived by his feline companion Tio.

During his lifetime, George was a familiar and constant face in Lake County. He was born on September 19, 1936 in Willoughby and passed away just miles away on April 29, 2025 in Waite Hill. Within those two dates, George lived a full and interesting life.

Graduating from Mentor High School in 1954, he was a member of the Henry Solomon Lehr Society and Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity at Ohio Northern University, earning his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1959. His education enabled him to pursue an exciting career with several defense contractors, such as McDonnell Douglas. Highly intelligent and hardworking, George had the honor of being intimately involved in the early space programs of the 1960s, and the design of the first Saturn rocket and International Space Station.

Beyond his professional life, he had an array of leisure pursuits. When he and Donna were not traveling around the USA, he could be found golfing, playing tennis, enjoying nature, studying his family’s genealogy or getting his hands dirty tending to his gardens. Among his family and friends, he was affectionately known as a sharp dresser, a connoisseur of wine and an admirer of cars. George also had a soft spot in his heart for animals and will be missed daily by his cat Tio, who was his shadow. George’s dry sense of humor and friendly smile will be lovingly remembered by his devoted family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of George to Rescue Village, 15463 Chillicothe Road, Novelty, OH 44072 or Lake County Humane Society, 7564 Tyler Boulevard, Mentor, OH 44060 or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110.

Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at St. Noel Catholic Church, 35200 Chardon Road, Willoughby Hills, Ohio at 11AM. Burial following at Waite Hill Village Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of George at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) MONDAY, 3-5 and 6-8PM.