George Anthony Drazenovich

It is with great sadness that the family of George Anthony Drazenovich announce his sudden passing on Saturday, May 18, 2002.
George was born Aug. 22, 1932 in Nashwauk, Mn. to Anton and Helen Drazenovich. He graduated from Nashwauk High School in 1950, served in the U.S. Air Force Fighter Interceptor Squadron from 1951 until 1955, and completed his under-graduate and post-graduate studies at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.
His teaching career took him to Floodwood, Mn., Coleraine, Mn. Merced, Calif., Gilbert and Biwabik, Mn., and in 1966 to Fort Frances High School in Fort Frances, Ont., retiring in 1989.
George was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed countless hours of fishing and hunting, and he passed that love to his sons and grandsons. His love and devotion to our Lord brought him to daily mass and recitation of the rosary.
George looked forward to those happy times around the coffee table with his buddies at Sister Kennedy Centre. Rainycrest Home for the Aged also held a special place in his heart, and he loved each and every one of them dearly.
He was an outspoken advocate for pro-life.
When asked what he was doing in his retirement, George’s answer was, “I labour in the Lord’s vineyard. The pay isn’t great, but the benefits are out of this world.”
On Aug. 13, 1955, George married June Suomi in Nashwauk, Mn., who survives with six sons, Dan (Lynda) and children, Danny, Marya, Greg, and Lianna of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Mike (Dorothy) and children, Sallee, Mila, and Ben of Maple Grove, Mn., Mark (Ann Taylor) of San Diego, Calif., David of San Diego, Calif., George (Lori) and Aila of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Bill (Lisa) and children, Mark, Hannah, and Holly, of Maple Grove, Mn.; one daughter, Mary Ann and children, Christina, Ron, David, Theresa, A.J., and Anthony; and three great-grandchildren, Kailee, William, and Mary, all of Winnipeg, Man.
Also surviving are three brothers, Joe (Carol) and John (Gaile) of Hibbing, Mn., and Tom (Mary Clare) of Grand Rapids, Mn.; sister-in-law, Helen Lamprecht (Don) of Virginia, Mn.; brother-in-law, John (Jean) Suomi of Babbitt, Mn.; uncle, Steve Shebly of Walker, Mn.; aunts, Anna Philipps of Hibbing, Mn., and Marion Barta of Pengilly, Mn.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was predeceased by his parents, Anton in 1960 and Helen in 1993.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Fort Frances. Fr. Eugene Whyte O.M.I. will officiate, with interment in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2002 from 7 until 9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. Parish prayers will be offered at 7:30 p.m.
Pallbearers will be George’s six sons, Dan, Mike, Mark, David, George, and Bill Drazenovich.
Honourary pallbearers will be Bob Fryer, Eugene Pierce, Adrian LaFreniere, Ed Domanski, Chris Von Niebelschutz, and Walter Jay Prymak.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to Rainycrest Home for the Aged, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3T2.
Christ says, and the Church reaffirms, that life does not end at death but changes.
Vivo autem, iam non ego:
Vivit vero in me Christus
“And I live now not with
my own life but with the
life of Christ who lives in me.”
Gal. 2:20