George M. Fusko died on Nov. 16, 2013 surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Stevensville, Mich., on Aug. 12, 1941, to George Jr. and Anna (Barancin) Fusko. On June 7, 1969, he married Judith Anne Hage.In 1959 Fusko graduated from Lakeshore High School and in 1963 from the University of Montana, home of his beloved Grizzlies, and what George considered the “real U of M.”

In May 1964, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and designated a Naval Flight Officer in Oct. 1965. He served his active duty time at Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1968. In 1972, he was affiliated with the Naval Air Reserve as a Tactical Coordinator on the P-2 Neptune and in 1974 joined Patrol Squadron 90. In 1982, he transferred to Patrol Squadron 93 where he served as operations officer, executive officer and on Sept. 29, 1984 he was installed as the commanding officer of VP-93. He was the first non-flight officer in the U.S. to be designated commanding officer of a patrol squadron. Fusko retired from the Naval Reserve in 1990 as a Captain.

In 1969, Fusko came to the Decatur Public Schools as a high school biology and environmental science teacher and began a 33-year relationship with the youth of Decatur, retiring in 2001. His former students will fondly recall the many biology trips that Fusko led, beginning with marine biology studies at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, progressing to Costa Rica rain forests and culminating in studies on the Amazon River and visits to Machu Picchu in Peru.

In addition to his naval and school career, George enjoyed the many unique animals on his home farm, including at various times llamas, alpacas, sheep, Scottish highland cattle, geese, donkeys, hens and anything else that took his fancy.

George was a member of the First Reformed Church of Decatur, and regularly attended services at the Decatur Bible Church.

He served on the Decatur Board of Education since 2001 and the Cass County Conservation District Board since 2005, and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign War Celery City Post #6248 in Decatur.

He is survived by his wife; three children, Michael (Jennifer) Fusko of Paw Paw, Elizabeth (Tom) Triesenberg of Rockford, and Lianna (Shawn) McLeese of Ann Arbor; five grandchildren, Ryen and Kaitlynne Fusko, Nathan and Daniel Triesenberg, and Eoin McLeese; two sisters, JoAnn VanderWeele of Mears and Kathleen (Tod) Gerard of Muskegon; and one sister-in-law, Maryl (David) Ritsema of Muskegon.

Visitation will take place Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Newell Funeral Home in Decatur. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the Decatur Bible Church with Pastor Dave Turley officiating. Donations may be made to the George M. Fusko Memorial Scholarship.