GEORGE ANSARA

ANSARA GEORGE Fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at the age of 82. Mr. Ansara will lie-in-state at the Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of St. Mary, located at 18100 Merriman, Livonia, on Friday, April 16th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Trisagion prayer service begins at 8 p.m. On Saturday, April 17th, Mr. Ansara will lie-in state at the Basilica from 10:00-11:00 a.m. The Funeral Liturgy begins at 11:00 a.m. followed by a private burial. George Ansara migrated from Aita El-Fokhar, Lebanon. He was married to the late Geraldine Ansara. With his brother Andrew, they became the largest franchise owners of the Big Boy Restaurants. An entrepreneur who also brought the Red Robin Restaurants to our state, he employed thousands of people. He started the mission of St. Mary in Livonia in 1972 with a handful of parishioners and lived to see the Basilica built to reflect what he admired most – his family, his faith and his work. George's greatest passion was that in order for family and community to survive, they must have a place to worship. George was a great dad to Lewis Ansara and Denise (Shaheen) Boumaroun, and the late Debra Ansara. He was blessed with his brother Andrew Ansara, his sisters Marie Ansara, Violette Matta and Nazik Kehdy, He was the loving grandfather of Joe, Mac, Lauren, Deanna, George, Lewis and Daniel. He is survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to the Basilica of St. Mary Building Fund. Please leave the family condolences and cherished memories at harryjwillfuneralhome.com May his memory be eternal.