George I. Cady

(November 21, 1934 - October 18, 2009)

 George Iwrin Cady, age 74 passed away Sunday, October 18, 2009 at his home with loved ones at his side. He was born November 21, 1934 in Big Rapids to George and Edna (O’Neil) Cady.
George had lived and worked in Big Rapids most all his life, with the exception of a few truck driving jobs that briefly took him out of state. George wore many, many hats during his working career. He began by working at his dads Auto Parts and junk yard later called Cady’s, Auto Parts on M-20; while there he learned to be one of the best mechanics in Mecosta County. When his father had no work his mother took him with her to Murdock’s restaurant, where she was a cook and he washed dishes and learned to be a great cook too.

 George’s parents had a band that he was in where he learned to play and sing at a very young age. The family band played at the first Eagles Club downtown Big Rapids; it was upstairs over the A&P store, where the J. C. Penny store is now.

 George was a 1953 graduate of Big Rapids High School and remained friends with most of his class mates all his life. Along with his talent for music he could do almost any kind of work and he did. George worked for Roseander’s Chevrolet as a mechanic and he owned a Cavalier gas station in Reed City. He held second jobs at night as a bartender at the Paris Bar, Big Rapids Eagles #2535, Jack & Emily’s and the Big Rapids AmVets, where he was also head-bartender. George worked for Biller & Withers as a block & brick layer, Big Rapids Tool & Die and he drove wrecker for Richard Currie for years.

 Soon after he married Edith the couple took over his parent’s restaurant on Maple St. where they served many of the construction workers that were building Parkview Village. He met Art Bosch at the restaurant who had a construction company and was doing the urban renewal downtown, tearing down a lot of old buildings like the old hotel and smoke shop. When Art Bosch closed his business George was hired by Reith Riley where he held many positions, retiring as an operator engineer in 1996 after 25 years of service.

 George loved to play and sing at the piano with his friends after work. If there was no piano he would find a guitar, even after working long hours he still had a tune or two left in him. George was also an avid sports person who loved to go deer hunting on his parent’s farm. He loved to bowl and bowled for Eagles #2535 and Reith Riley for many years. George’s final hobby was lawn mower repair.

 Due to declining health George had taken an early retirement and in 2000 he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He took many treatments and was cancer free until 2007 when it came back full force and he started a new cancer journey. George took chemo & radiation well beyond what his doctor wanted him too. George kept his cancer at bay for over two years. He fought the cancer off and on for ten years.

 He will be missed by family and friends with his songs he sang like no one else could; Frankie & Johnnie, Release Me, Cheating Heart. George only liked a few country singers Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams Sr., Box Car Willie and of course George Jones.

 George is survived by his wife Edith, who loved him for 47 years; 12 children who also loved him very much, Cynthia (James) Cornell of Paris, MI, Debra (Steven) Wright, Jacalyn (Steven) Jensen, Brenda (Don) Griffis, Faye (Daryl) Young all of Big Rapids, Karen Wright of Arizonia, Brian (Tina) Cady of Big Rapids, Julie Cady Barttelt of Jackson; Stepchildren, Larry (Gayla) Adams of Reed City, Gary Adams Sr. of Florida, Connie (special friend Raymond Stockdale) Carver Morcom of Big Rapids, Cathy Cady of Big Rapids; 31 grandchildren, 45 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; his mother Edna Cady of Big Rapids; two brothers, Gordon (Sue) Cady of Florida, William John (Armeda) Cady of Wisconsin, two sisters, Shirley (Marvin) Nelson of Leroy, Charlotte (Robert Sr.) Guild of Big Rapids and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

 George was preceded in death by his father, George S. Cady in 1994, a brother, Jack Cady in 1955, a niece Eva Marie Cady in 1965, an infant granddaughter, Michelle Morris in 1975, and a great-granddaughter, Miranda Wright on August 20, 2002.

 Funeral services will take place 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22nd at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Bill Routley officiating. Burial will be at Pine Plains Cemetery in Big Rapids.

 The family will greet friends at the funeral home on Tuesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

 George was a life member of Eagles Aerie # 2535 of Big Rapids, a member of AmVets Post # 1941 of Big Rapids, where he served as the first commander of the Sons of the AmVets. In Lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Big Rapids Eagles, the Big Rapids AmVets or Hospice of Michigan.