George Milton Grindrod

1940-2025

George Grindrod passed away on November 6, 2025 in Davie, FL at the age of 85. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Fred Hunter‘s Funeral Home located at 2401 S. University Drive, Davie, FL 33324 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. He will then be escorted to Forest Lawn Gardens Cemetery in McMurray, Pennsylvania, where he will be laid to rest.

George was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 20, 1940 and of parents Wallace Burton Grindrod and Hilda Snyder. As a very young man having completed high school, George went on to study at the University of Miami. He was very interested in aviation and began his career as an instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He served in the Army as enlisted man 1963-1965. Upon his return he met and married Lorraine Mica, which had two children from a previous marriage, Cynthia and Richard. He lovingly and legally adopted them both and gave them his last name. On March 2, 1969 Robert was born.

In the early days of his career, George was hired by Braniff International Airways in 1965 and flew to South America out of the Miami crew base. After Braniff, he ventured out and worked in real estate for three years to then return back to the airlines with Rosenbaum in 1985 and became a DC-8 Captain before moving on to Kalitta Air where he eventfully became a B-747 Captain 1991-2000. From there he went on to Fine Air then became the Chief Pilot for Arrow Air 2002-2005 and finally Focus Air 2005-2007. He was very instrumental in organizing the Braniff / Panagra Lunch Bunch which met once a quarter in South Florida.

For many years, George enjoyed traveling in his motorhome and met so many interesting people along the way, some of which became lifelong friends. He also enjoyed watching and attending NHRA drag racing and watching football.

Did you say Fred Sanford? George spent countless amount of hours watching one of his favorite shows, Sanford & Son, laughing to no avail. "Fred Sanford is the only man who could have a heart attack, scream "I'm coming, Elizabeth!' and still have time to roast Aunt Esther on the way down."

One of George's favorite pastimes was eating and visiting new restaurants. He really enjoyed going on these almost weekly or even daily outings with his family and/or friends. He definitely loved a good steak and couldn't drown it in more ketchup and chimichuri if he tried!

George was living in Davie, and is survived by his son, Robert and daughter-in-law Silvia and was predeceased by his second wife, Sharon, in 2021.

So many wonderful memories each and every one of us have to remember George by. He touched so many lives with his gentle, kind and caring soul. And his ever-so-famous last words....... "In one hundred years, none of this will matter." May you rest in peace, Captain George, and until we meet again.