George Cantor

George was born May 5, 1928 in Ravenna, Ohio on the family’s small farm to Romanian immigrants Mike and Zanovia (Ungurean) Cantor where he joined his sisters Doris, Helen and Madaleine.

A 1947 graduate of Shalersville schools, George’s early employment included working at a Shalersville celery farm as a teenager and at A.C. Williams as an adult.

George married Ora Dowler June 10, 1949. He was soon drafted into the Korean War leaving the newly-weds separated by the conflict. After George’s return from the war, they raised two daughters, Becky and Lori.

George studied carpentry, became a fine finish carpenter and built many houses in the area. He later became a member of Carpenter’s Local 639 and worked on large construction projects including many buildings on the Kent State University Campus.

George built the home where he and Ora lived for 60 years. In his 70’s George remodeled an 1888 farmhouse next door to the family home for his daughter Lori and her husband Jeff.

George created a wonderful life for himself and his family and he had many interests including history and hunting for arrowheads. He was also an artist as an accomplished woodcarver, a painter and he dabbled in stained glass. His home is filled with many of his projects.

Ora and George traveled frequently including trips to just about every state in the U. S. including Hawaii and Alaska. They traveled overseas including the Holy Land, Greece, and Rome. They enjoyed multiple cruises. One of his fondest trips was a raft trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, where he traveled six times. He and a close friend, Harvey Warner, took a cruise down the Amazon River.

George took many mission trips to Africa, Russia and Haiti helping to build schools and hospitals for the people in those countries.

George was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge # 65, the VFW Post 1055, the Tree City Carvers, Carpenter’s Local 639, and the First United Methodist Church of Ravenna.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters with the exception of Doris Piper of California. He is survived by his wife Ora of 72 years, daughters Becky (Larry) Welch and Lori Cantor-Wolff (Jeff Wolff), granddaughter Jennifer (Allen) Loy, his great granddaughter Lydia Cantor Loy, and Steven (Allison)Welch.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Pastor Norma, their church family and the Hospice of the Western Reserve.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to The First United Methodist Church of Ravenna’s Wheelchair Ramp Ministry or the Portage County Animal Protective League.

Due to Covid concerns, a private service will be held for immediate family Friday, April 2, with Pastor Norma Bates officiating. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date. Interment will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com