George H. Metzler Sr.

1935 - 2022

GREAT VALLEY - George H. Metzler Sr., 86, of Great Valley, died Wednesday afternoon, April 27, 2022, at his home, with his daughters by his side.

Born Oct. 24, 1935, in Salamanca, he was the son of the late Willard G. and Marie K. Whitmer Metzler. He was married Oct. 17, 1959, to the former Lorraine Frost, who predeceased him in 1998.

He was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1954, and earned his engineering degree from Alfred State College.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving from 1954 to 1955, and was stationed in Alaska. He earned the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

George had been employed with the West Valley Demonstration Project for over 35 years, serving as a health physics technician, health physics supervisor and retiring as a radiation safety engineer in 1998. He was asked to return in a consulting role until permanently stepping away in 2002.

He was a charter member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed entertaining the family by playing the three songs that he knew on the accordion. He enjoyed barbershop music, as well as the competition and playing of horseshoes, cards, softball, pool, ping-pong, chess and was an avid bowler. He enjoyed the summers at Rainbow Lake and was a Buffalo Bills fan.

Surviving are two daughters, Judith Hoag of Great Valley and Patricia (Gregory) Reynolds of Little Valley; four grandsons, Justin (Alichia) Hoag of Cattaraugus, Mitchell Hoag of Salamanca, Nathan (Katie Stone) Reynolds of Ithaca and Matthew Reynolds of Little Valley; three great-grandchildren, Kalissa Hoag, Ryder and Porter Hoag; a sister, Joyce Shinners; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a son, George Metzler Jr.; a sister, Audrey Novick; and three brothers, William, James and Malcolm Metzler. He was also predeceased by his loving companion of many years, Donna Kayes.

Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday (May 1, 2022) at the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River St., Salamanca. Funeral services will be held in the funeral home at noon Monday (May 2, 2022) with Deacon Michael Anderson of Our Lady of Peace Parish officiating. Burial will be in Green Cemetery, Great Valley. Full military honors will be conducted by members of the American Legion Hughes-Skiba Post 535 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars John F. Ahrens Post 5296.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com.