Oujiri, George J. 'Gus'

At home again he met and married his wife of nearly 66 years, Blanche Louise McPherson. After a year of work at Har Mac, he passed the civil service exam and began carrying mail for the next 33 years, retiring at age 55. During those years at the Post Office, he farmed part time with his father as partner and also scrapped cars and iron. Upon retirement, he continued with the junk dealing to the end, another 32 years.

Gus enjoyed fishing in Canada, hunting, fur trapping, league bowling for 30 years, thermometers, anything to do with Alaska, weather, pack ratting, farm auctions, pinochle playing at Ely and 500 at St. Judes & St. Pats and people. Gus had not an enemy in the world, every person who knew him liked him, every person who he knew he liked. Actively involved in his family member's lives always, frequent communication was the norm even though all the children lived in different states. A member of St Judes Catholic Church, he was also in the Knights of Columbus, #909, joining in 1942.

George is survived by his wife, Blanche; all four of his children, Michael, Jim, Janet and Steve; all four of his grandchildren, Jeffrey, Jason, Christina and Janessa; and his two sisters, Margaret Kenney and Katherine Perkins, who were all with him during his last three lucid days.

Also present daily during his last days were his friend of 83 years, Wilfred “Zip” Zipperer and his friend of 81 years, Eddie Walter.

George also has nine great-grandchildren.

Thanks to Sara Frauenkron, Amber Gauthier and Sara Gauthier at the Essence of Life Hospice for their help to the family. Thanks also to Dr. Richard Pope.

A memorial fund has been established at St Jude Catholic Church.

Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Friday at St. Jude Catholic Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel and after 9 a.m. Friday at the church. A vigil service will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Published in The Gazette May 2, 2012.