George L. Bender

1924 - 2012

Born April 17, 1924, in Buffalo, NY. He peacefully passed away at age 87 on March 10, 2012, in Bobcaygeon, Ontario, Canada, where he had resided since 1985. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, his daughters Barbara Cassell (Jerry) of Northborough, MA, Lorraine Painter (Philip) of Moon Township, PA., Virginia, Rossi (Dave) of Wilson, NY and his son Robert of Depew, NY; he is also survived by three stepchildren, Judy Hornibrook (Jon), Jeff Unger (Bev), and Sandra Robinson (Dave), all of Ontario, Canada; also survived by ten beloved grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, former spouse, Phyllis Bender of Buffalo, NY and many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by this first wife, Anne Barth Kuerzdoerfer, his parents Glen and Vera Bender, sisters Ellen, Gladys and Lorraine, and brothers, Glen (Buddy) and Robert (Bobby). He served two and one half years in the Army Air Corps as a radio operator during WWII. He worked at Bell Aircraft, roofing for the Saunders Company, and many years driving a truck for the Lerch Hubbell Company. Retirement came in his fifties to devote time to his favorite hobbies which included restoring yard and estate sale "finds", playing his harmonica and the spoons for the largest or smallest of audiences, and occasionally going to the casino to shoot craps, his favorite game. George's claim to fame, "besides his four children", was bowling a perfect "300" game on June 30, 1964. He loved the Buffalo area and returned there often to visit family and friends.