Obituaries

George Herman Moilanen Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed away on September 23, 2026, at the age of 80.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, to George and Hazel Moilanen, George lived a full and remarkable life—one defined by a deep love for his family, a genuine interest in people, insatiable curiosity, and boundless energy.

There was nothing more important to George than family. And there was no one more important to him than his wife, Cheryl.

George and Cheryl Lynn Barber met at a junior high school dance and married in 1964, sharing more than seven decades together. From raising their family in the Detroit area to their later years on Drummond Island, George and Cheryl built a life centered on family and friends, and a home people always wanted to return to.

George was a devoted father to George Moilanen III and Gwen Moilanen and welcomed their spouses, Susan Moilanen and Carsten Moller, into the family. He loved being a grandfather to Joseph Goulet, Tim Moilanen, and Katherine Moilanen, and welcomed Tim’s wife, Alexandria Moilanen, and Katherine’s partner, Bert Manion. He took a genuine interest in each of their lives—what they were doing and what came next.

He was lucky enough to see his family grow with the next generation—Cooper, Hazel, Shepherd, and Susanna. Four generations surrounded George in the later years of his life, and there was nowhere he would rather be.

Early Years

George grew up in Detroit surrounded by family and friends—cousins, aunts, and uncles who shaped his childhood in lasting ways and instilled in him a lifelong sense that the people you love aren't just part of life—they're the whole point.

Some of his fondest childhood memories were summers spent with his cousins and his Aunt Vieno and Uncle Reno (Babe) Korby on Drummond Island. Those early experiences created a lifelong connection to the island that would eventually become his home.

George graduated with honors from Redford High School in 1963. He then attended Wayne State University’s Monteith College, working his way through school. He worked in the mailroom at General Motors, spent summers moving earth for his brother-in-law, and plowed snow in the winters.

Those years revealed a trait that would define George for the rest of his life: no matter the obstacle, he found a way to get things done.

A Career Built on Energy and Relationships

After graduating from Wayne State, George began his professional career at Ford Motor Company, initially working in computer operations and later moving into sales and service.

He eventually moved into the emerging technology and computer services industry, holding consulting, sales, and executive management positions with Computer Dynamics, Compustaff, Aida, and Compuware.

In 1995, George took a leap and founded his own company, Great Lakes Technologies Group.

George poured his energy, intelligence, and personality into the company. Under his leadership, Great Lakes Technologies Group was recognized among Detroit’s fast-growing companies and as one of the area’s “Best Companies to Work For.”

While George was proud of the business he built, those who knew him understood that his greatest strength in business was not simply his ability to work hard or solve problems. It was his ability to build relationships.

George had a genuine interest in people. He asked questions. He listened. He remembered things. He cared. Whether he had known someone for 30 years or had just met them, he had a way of making people feel comfortable and valued.

Retirement—But Never Really Slowing Down

After selling Great Lakes Technologies Group in 2002, George and Cheryl retired full-time to Drummond Island.

For most people, retirement might have meant slowing down.

For George, it meant finding new things to do.

He couldn’t sit still. There was always a project underway—something being built, fixed, or figured out—and George was usually thinking about the next project before the current one was finished.

Most of George's days started before everyone else's. He was an early riser and an avid reader, and his mornings were spent chasing whatever subject had caught his interest that week—reading about it, watching videos on it, and reaching out to the people he loved.

Most people who knew George can probably relate to waking up to an early-morning message from him. It might be a question, a thank-you, an insight he wanted to share, something he thought you might find interesting, or a request for help with whatever project had captured his attention that day.

Throughout the day, George continued to call and text friends and family, checking in and keeping up with what was happening in their lives.

He was smart, energetic, quick-witted, and endlessly curious about the world around him.

He was simply never finished. There was always something to learn, someone to call, something to fix, somewhere to go, or someone to help.

Drummond Island, Friends and the Outdoors

Drummond Island became much more than a place to live. It was where George and Cheryl began a new chapter of their lives.

They traveled extensively together, enjoying adventures throughout the United States and abroad. George also spent countless hours outdoors with his family, friends, dogs, and fellow sportsmen.

He loved hunting and shooting and became an active member of the Drummond Island Snowmobile Club. He didn’t just snowmobile around Drummond Island—he snowmobiled extensively across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and throughout Canada, turning the sport into an opportunity for adventure, exploration, and friendship.

He also became deeply involved in competitive shotgun shooting, forming friendships locally and throughout the country. He was an active member of the Emmet County Sportsman’s Club and ultimately served as its president.

But among all the outdoor activities George enjoyed, some of his most treasured memories were the simplest ones: deer hunting in Trout Creek with family and friends.

Those days were about much more than hunting. They were about being together: early mornings, long conversations, stories, laughter, good-natured arguments, and time spent with people George loved. They were the kinds of experiences he valued most.

A Life of Love and Connection

George had an extraordinary capacity for friendship.

He made friends throughout every stage of his life—from childhood friends and cousins in Detroit, to people he met during his years at Ford and in the technology business, to the many friends he made later in life on Drummond Island and through hunting, snowmobiling, and competitive shooting.

But underneath all of those friendships was the same quality: George genuinely cared about people.

He loved deeply.
He especially loved his family.

He loved Cheryl.

He loved being a father.

He loved being a grandfather.

And he loved seeing his family continue to grow into another generation.

For those who knew George well, it is easy to imagine him sitting with family, telling a story, making a quick comment that made everyone laugh, or starting a conversation about something new he had learned.

That was George.

George is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Cheryl Lynn Moilanen; his children, George Moilanen III (Susan Moilanen) and Gwen Moilanen (Carsten Moller); his grandchildren, Joseph Goulet, Tim Moilanen (Alexandria Moilanen), and Katherine Moilanen (Bert Manion); and his great-grandchildren, Cooper, Hazel, Shepherd, and Susanna.

He is also survived by the many relatives and friends whose lives he touched over his 80 years.

George will be remembered for his intelligence, humor, curiosity, determination, and remarkable ability to connect with people. But most of all, he will be remembered for how deeply he loved his family and friends—and how deeply they loved him. And while he will be profoundly missed, the memories he created with Cheryl, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends will remain with them for generations to come.

Family Life Funeral Homes – Pickford assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.