George Ernest Toerge Jr

June 23, 1929 to September 5, 2015

George passed away peacefully while resting Saturday evening, September 5, 2015 at home in Downey, California. George was a strong minded man who carried himself with great humility. Small in stature with a larger than life presence, he died as he chose, at home while resting after a full day with his family by his side. George was born on June 23, 1929 to George and Lillian Toerge in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. At fifteen, he moved to North Hollywood with his mother and sisters. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1947 and studied accounting at the University of Southern California.
George served two years in the US Naval Reserve. He was discharged from the Naval Reserve on May 9, 1951 and drafted into the US Army the following day where he served two years until he was honorably discharged in 1953. He married the love of his life, Mildred Elise Lee, on September 13, 1952.
George had a thirty-five year career with the Hydril Company in downtown Los Angeles serving as accountant and office manager. In retirement, he worked for Western Gasket in Vernon and AFI Flight Training Center at the Fullerton Municipal Airport. George volunteered his time and unique talents to several organizations including Junior Achievement, Downey Little League Baseball, Downey Community Hospital, the Diamond Tread Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America and the Hathaway Ranch in Santa Fe Springs.

Never one to sit still, George was a man of many hobbies. He was a pilot, coached baseball, built dune buggies, restored collectible cars, played the organ and guitar and was an avid coin collector. His greatest passions were flying and working with his hands. He designed and built much of the furniture in his home and he hand crafted over four hundred scale model airplanes in the free-standing woodshop he built on his property in Downey. Over one hundred of his model airplanes are displayed in flight in the offices of AFI Flight Training in Fullerton.
George is survived by his sons, Robert and Michael (Suzanne) and his faithful dog Daisy. George was preceded in death by Millie, his wife of 58 years, his parents and his sisters; Irma, Lois and Betty.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, September 28, 2015 in the main hangar at AFI Flight Training, 4119 W. Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton, CA.