George M. Aries

Aries George M., North Oaks, MN. Our pillar of strength, loving husband, father and grandfather, mentor and friend to all, passed away peacefully on February 8, 2002, after a long struggle with heart condition complications. George was born on March 17, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts and was raised in the Boston area. He married Claire Ravalli on Sept. 19, 1954 and they had 2 children. George, a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, was a Senior Project Manager in the Military Avionics Division at Honeywell for over 43 years. He was involved in the management of numerous classified programs involving Defense Department projects. He was also key to the engineering design of gyroscopic guidance systems for the Apollo Space Program and the development of automatic test equipment for the manufacture and maintenance of avionics used in military and commercial aircraft. He was highly respected by engineering co-workers and customers for his technical knowledge and business skills. George was an important behind-the-scenes contributor to national security and will be missed by his colleagues. George was preceded in death by his wife, Claire; brother, Edward and his wife Theresa; and his parents, Mario and Enis. He is survived by a daughter, Linda and her husband Larry Goetzke; son, Michael, daughter-in-law, Susana; four grandchildren, Brent, Anthony, and Alex and Nikkolas; one sister, Carol and her husband James Angelo; special friend Ruth Ottoson; and numerous relatives and friends. George was a passionate family man and sought always to improve the lives of his children and grandchildren. He loved his family unconditionally and will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him. A special thank you to the doctors, nurses and other caregivers who took special care of him during the many complications he had since his heart transplant in 1996. The family is especially grateful to Dr. Leslie Miller at the University of Minnesota Hospitals and Dr. Arkadiusz Dudek and Sofia Ormaza of Fairview University Medical Center. Funeral leaving the HOLCOMB-HENRY-BOOM NORTH CHAPEL, 515 W. Hwy 96, Shoreview, on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 am at ST. ODILIA CATHOLIC CHURCH, 3495 N. Victoria, Shoreview. Interment at Roselawn Cemetery, Roseville. Visitation on Friday, Feb. 15 from 3-9 pm, with parish vigil 4:30 pm at the funeral home. The family suggests any memorials referred to Second Chance for Life Foundation, 1564 Goodview Ave., N. Oakdale, MN 55128. 651-482-7606

Published on February 12, 2002